Leaders approve Orange Co. term limits ordinance; Voters to have final say in November

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Tuesday's Orange County commission meeting went late into the evening as commissioners discussed a proposed ballot amendment that could change local term limits.

The proposed ballot amendment states elections for all charter offices elected countywide shall be held in 2016 and every four years thereafter.

Shortly after 10 p.m., commissioners approved an ordinance that would allow for term limits if the amendment passes in November.

Several people spoke at the podium during discussions Tuesday night.

Commissioners want the offices of the tax collector, clerk of courts, sheriff, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and comptroller to have term limits.

But Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh thinks the change isn't necessary.

"Do we really want to have someone new, inexperienced at the helm for the sake of saying we have term limits?," Singh asked.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, whose term would be cut in half if the amendment passes, sees no issue with having elections every four years.

"For the same reason the president of the United States has term limits, the governor has term limits, I have term limits, this board has term limits. I don't see any reason why constitutional officers should now be exempt from that sun-setting of their position," Jacobs said.

Although the ordinance passed, voters will have the final say in November.

WFTV