Bill calling for term limits for county commissioners is headed to the full Florida Senate

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Eight of Florida’s 67 counties currently have eight-year limits for county commissioners. Three other counties have 12-year limits, and the rest have none. Legislation amended this week in a Senate committee would place a referendum on the 2024 general election ballot, asking voters if they want eight-year term limits for their county commissioners.

Previous versions of the bill would not have given voters the option. Supporters of the legislation say term limits are necessary to get new people and fresh ideas in the political process. State Senator Blaise Ingoglia is the bill sponsor.

“The current posture of this bill is asking the voters do they want term limits? The voter input that everyone has been asking for is accomplished in this bill,” State Senator Blaise Ingoglia shared.

Opponents of the bill, including Putnam County Commissioner Larry Harvey, feel there is no need to limit the number of years someone can serve.

“We have elections every time. People can vote me out. I’ve been through three. All we are trying to do now is disrupt the system for no reason at all. We are trying to take good people out of office. I can be removed anytime, for any reason, right now. It is not a problem,” Larry Harvey, vice chair of the Putnam County Commission stated.

A House version of the legislation is also ready for consideration by the full chamber. However, the current House bill differs from the Senate version, and both would need to be identical for final passage.

TRENDING: Starke City Hall reopens after FDLE executes search warrant

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.