A friend asked me recently what I thought about the Raleigh City Council’s consideration of moving to four year terms rather than its current two.
Upon hearing District B councilor John Odom bring it up a few months ago, I thought it makes sense. I can see how it makes sense to stay focused on the public’s work, rather than focused on what it takes to win the next election. Some say a longer-term outlook also lends it self to smarter longer-term growth. Four year terms make sense to me.
On the other hand, there’s the argument that two year terms make our representatives more accountable to the electorate, and keep the pressure on to make sure they make the right decisions. There’s also the argument that Raleigh’s system has worked well for many years, so why change it? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? Two year terms make sense to me.
In the end what swayed me was thinking of the council’s appointments to its boards. All citizen volunteers serve two year terms on Raleigh’s various boards and committees. Those terms can be extended two additional times for a total of six years of continuous service. Now, if what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, would the city council be as eager to consider extending citizen appointments to four year terms? I have a hard time seeing that happen, and that’s because of accountability. The council wants to ensure the citizens it appoints are held accountable.
Having served on a few boards, it’s my opinion that any board is strengthened by the occasional infusion of new blood. New members bring new ideas, which can open up new doors of opportunity for everyone involved. Four year terms could lead to stagnation.
Actually, stagnation is what I think about when I consider the Wake County Commission. Now there’s a model we don’t want to follow! If four year terms supposedly lead to longer-term thinking, why has the Wake County Commission been unwilling to properly preserve its vanishing open space, put a transit referendum on the ballot, or even adequately fund its burgeoning school system?
Where I’d really like to see four year terms is for members of Congress, whose expensive, every-two-years races really do force them to spend an ordinate amount of time campaigning (and heeding advice of those who write big checks).
The city council races aren’t to that level yet. In absense of truly compelling evidence that a change is needed I think we’re better off sticking with two year terms.