The city of Tempe is amending its city code to limit the number of terms and positions an individual can hold on the city’s boards and commissions.
Tempe City Council held the first public hearing on this code amendment during its Dec. 19 meeting, and the final hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025. No public testimony or council discussion took place during the first hearing.
Chief Diversity Officer Velicia Humes wrote in a city staff report that the city is proposing to adopt new provisions that would place additional limits on the time and number of boards and commissions that a resident can serve at any given time.
“The goal of the ordinance is to further the city’s priority to develop and maintain strong community connections by providing residents with opportunities to participate in the process of open governance,” Humes stated.
She said the amendment will help increase accessibility for residents to participate on a city board, commission or committee through two main changes.
Current city code holds that any one person can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms and then later be appointed to the same board or commission to start a brand new term. The amended code would establish a maximum of two terms — consecutive or otherwise, according to Humes.
Secondly, the amendment would limit people to serving on only one board or commission at the same time.
“The ordinance does authorize city council to provide an exception if the council determines that there are otherwise insufficient persons able or willing to serve,” Humes noted.
Provisions in the ordinance will apply to all appointments and terms beginning on or after the effective date of the ordinance once council votes on its adoption. The ordinance applies to both regular and alternate board and commission positions.
If adopted in January, there is a procedure for transitioning current board and commission members who serve on multiple committees to “accommodate existing commitments and support the ongoing work of a board or commission,” according to the report.
Those serving on multiple boards or commissions as of Feb. 1, 2025, may complete their terms, and at the expiration of the first term, those members may only seek reappointment to one board or commission.
“This phased approach is designed to honor the contributions of long-serving members while minimizing disruption to boards and commissions,” Humes stated.
The final public hearing will take place at city council’s 6 p.m. Jan. 9 regular meeting in the city council chambers at Tempe City Hall, 31 E. Fifth Street.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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