Community Impact reports that the Montgomery City Council at their July 23rd meeting agreed informally on forwarding a proposal to voters in November to lengthen the terms for the mayor and councilmembers from two to four years.
City Secretary and Director of Administrative Services, James Greene, said the purpose of the change is to lower the frequentness of elections and their associated costs. These costs have been rising.
The proposed change would move elections to every other year, which according to their agenda packet, would result in cost reductions.
The term extension change, voted in approval by voters, would not change the terms of current officials in office. Following the May 2025 election, the change would go into effect for councilmembers elected into office.
To allow for an extended time for the public to be educated on a proposal, the city staff stood in favor of the four-year term extension.
Greene said, in order to meet election deadlines, putting the proposal on the ballot for November merits immediate action.
At their next regular meeting on August 13th, councilmembers are anticipated to approve the term extension proposal for the November ballot.
