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An ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing that a referendum question regarding the amendment of Article III, §5(b) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County, which places term limits on only the Chief Executive, be placed on the November 7, 2023 General Election ballot.
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Whereas, Article III, §5(b) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County establishes that “[t]he Chief Executive shall be limited to three consecutive terms of office.”; and
Whereas, no provision of the Charter places term limits upon any other elected officer of the County; and
Whereas, it is the judgment of Council that imposing more stringent term limitations upon the Chief Executive than upon any other elected County officer serves no meaningful purpose; and
Whereas, as noted in the Preamble to the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County, goals of the conversion to a home rule form of government included better representation of the diversity of the County’s residents, better access to County government, leadership, vision, efficiency, accountability, and improving the public’s trust in County government; and
Whereas, in the judgment of Council, all of these goals would be better served by providing for periodic turnover in County elected office; and
Whereas, incumbent elected officials have access to public forums, media coverage, and fundraising opportunities that are disproportionately greater than that afforded to individuals who do not hold elected office, all of which places incumbents at a distinct advantage when seeking re-election; and
Whereas, it is finally the judgment of Council that the three consecutive term limitation imposed upon the Chief Executive is both an equitable and rational means of allowing for extended public service by qualified individuals, while expanding access to elected office for other qualified individuals who wish to serve in that capacity;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enac...
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