Hubbard City Council considers bringing term extensions before voters

By SARAH Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

hubbard

A proposed ballot measure would extend the terms of office for Hubbard City Council members to four years.

Currently, council members are elected to two-year terms.

Councilman Michael Toda, D-4th, requested legislation during a regular meeting Monday night that, if passed, would place the issue before voters for their approval in November.

In 2006, council considered placing a similar measure on the ballot, but the issue was tabled.

Councilwoman Lisha Baumiller, D-3rd, and president pro tem, said she favors extending term lengths.

“I’m all for new people coming in to council, but once they’re in, I think we should give them a chance to get more projects done,” she said. “Once you’re elected, you spend a certain part of your time learning and getting acclimated and, before you know it, you have to campaign again.”

Council asked Law Director Mark Villano to review the requirements necessary to place the measure on the November ballot, or on a subsequent ballot.

The deadline for filing questions and issues with the Trumbull County Board of Elections for the general election is Aug. 10.

Council also discussed staggering terms for city council. Though, council positions have historically not been hotly contested, council noted a situation could arise in which an entire council of newcomers took office.

In the November 2015 election, all council seats, with the exception of councilman-at-large, were uncontested. Seven out of nine council candidates were incumbents.

Currently, Hubbard’s council terms are not staggered, which means all council members come up for re-election every two years.

A resolution to put the term change on the ballot is slated to come before council for its first reading during the next regular meeting, June 6. Council typically votes on final passage after three readings.