BEAUMONT, Texas — This November, Beaumont voters will have the chance to decide whether to approve term limits for city council members.
If voters say yes, this term limit amendment will be added to the city's charter.
Right now no term limits are in place. Instead city leaders must campaign for re-election every two years.
Councilman Randy Feldschau and Ward 3 Councilman Audwin Samuel both agree these term limits are needed.
"Well this amendment would give the council a four year term, with a three term limit, for a total of 12 years per office," said Councilman Feldschau.
Feldschau said that he has never supported term limits in the past.
"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 without running against an incumbent," said Feldschau.
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.
Councilman Samuel has been in office for 31 years. He said 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 by voters next month it would take effect in the May 2025 election, so all of the current council members would finish their terms, according to Samuel.