BEAUMONT, Texas — Voters in Beaumont have said no to placing term limits on city council members.
Beaumont's Proposition A would have amended the city charter to increase council member's current two-year terms to staggered four-year terms.
It would have also added a three-term limit allowing members to serve a total of 12 years in office.
The proposition failed with 4,748, or 54% of the votes cast.
Currently city council members must campaign for re-election every two years.
At-large councilman Randy Feldschau and Ward Three councilman Audwin Samuel both agree term limits are needed.
Samuel, who has been a council member for 31 years, says running every two years makes it almost impossible to get anything done.
"It takes you four to six years to understand the process and many times it takes four to six years to get a project through," Samuel said.
Ultimately, Samuel believes term limits could benefit residents by bringing new leadership to city government.
"At a certain period of time whether they want him or her again or not he has to go.... I can see both sides,” said Samuel.
If the amendment is passed it will take effect by the May 2025 election, so all of the current council members would finish their terms, according to Samuel.
"Well this amendment would give the council a four year term, with a three term limit, for a total of 12 years per office," says Feldschau, who previously had not supported term limits.
"I always felt we had term limits, in the past it's called elections," Feldschau said.
Earlier this year the council appointed a committee to study the issue and make a recommendation. In the end the council decided on a four year term, with a three term limit.
"A gentleman or lady can run for like ward position. At the end of 12 years they would term out for life. So they would vacate that position, thus creating an opportunity for someone to run for that office without running against an incumbent," he said.
It comes with some flexibility city leaders after the 12 years.
"In order to maintain institutional knowledge that person can them move and run for another office being at large or for mayor," Feldschau told 12News.