Term limits, vacancies for Georgetown City Council to be analyzed in charter review

Georgetown City Council agreed June 23 to move forward with a city charter review, which could mean changes to how the city is operated.

Council Member Steve Fought, who brought the agenda item forward, said with the review approved, the city’s legal department will produce a guide to how the review will be conducted, how public input will be solicited, how council approval will be achieved and how the final ballot proposals will be approved.

The review will include a look into at least three current charter items:

• term limits for the mayor and council members, such as limiting them to three terms;
• a change in how vacancies are filled on the council, such as allowing the council to appoint a member to fill a vacancy rather than having to hold a special election; and
• correcting any other errors or inconsistencies with state laws that have been discovered, such as the in-district residency period to run for election.

But others may be added, Fought said.

After the review the council will have to vote on whether to hold a charter election and what will be on the ballot. Then changes must be approved by a public vote. If the council agrees to an election, it is recommended the vote be placed on the May 2021 ballot, Fought said.

The last time the city's charter was reviewed was in 2012, when items such as moving the city’s elections from May to November were considered; however, the council voted to not hold a charter election, Fought said.

City Manager David Morgan said the city will bring back the item in August since the council is busy in July with budget workshops.