Ocean City Council Proposes Eliminating Term Limits For Boards

OCEAN CITY, NJ - The possible elimination of term limits in Ocean City is causing angst among some residents as members of council attempt to deal with what they call a lack of interest.

Ocean City Council unanimously approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to repeal term limits for those serving on the city’s boards, commissions and authorities at its Nov. 29 meeting.
The public hearing and final vote is set for Dec. 13.

City officials say the legislation is necessary because there is a lack of interest among residents to serve on these boards. With no new members coming in, boards are left short once the term limits on current members expire.

Without enough members, boards could become ineffective due to an inability to meet. Councilman Bob Barr said that happened when he was a member of the Utility Advisory Commission.

Some members of the public voiced concern that this could lead to a situation where boards become stale and no new ideas come forth.

“This assumes no one else in the city is willing to serve,” Donna Moore told council. “Term limits need to stay in place to ensure everyone can participate in our democracy.”

“We should encourage new blood,” Marie Hayes said. “If you pass this, people won’t have opportunities to serve.”

“It’s wrong to eliminate term limits,” Bill Hartranft said. “The boards will become stale and ineffective with no new blood.”

He noted that the city should advertise for the positions, and let members of the community know that the openings are available. The city has periodically sent out emails noting that the city is seeking volunteers for its boards and commissions to those who sign up to receive alerts through the city’s website.

Members are appointed by council after applying to the city and undergoing a vetting process. See related: Ocean City Seeks Volunteers For Boards And Commissions.

Council members pointed out that even if there are no term limits, each appointee would still be limited by the length of the appointment. When the length was up, council could evaluate that member’s performance.

“We’ve let people serve until their term limit was up, and I think that’s hurt us in the past,” Councilman Keith Hartzell said. “Quite a few times, we’ve had someone who hasn’t performed well, and we’ve had chairmen tell us that. We were iffy on it because we let them go to the full term-limit. Now people will know it’s term-by-term, and it depends on how you do. We’ve also let good people go because their term limit was up.”

He also stressed that members of council don’t just appoint their friends to these boards, even if that might have been the way it was done in the past.

Councilman Michael DeVlieger suggested putting a sunset provision in, and council members agreed on three years. If the ordinance is approved on Dec. 13, council will revisit the decision in three years.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the different boards and commissions and how to get involved can visit ocnj.us.

Term limits have been a subject of controversy at the national level. While presidential term limits are set at two, four-year terms, there is no such law regarding the U.S. Senate or U.S. Congress.

In fact, while a new Congressman will be sworn in to represent Ocean City in January, it only comes after Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) represented the district for 24 years. Democrat Patrick Leahy has represented Vermont in the Senate since 1975.

Some believe this causes stagnation in the national government, and a form of complacency among those who have been in the federal government for decades.

President Donald Trump believes in term limits for Congress and the Senate, and recently met with some members about the idea. While there is some support, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, according to The Washington Post.

Patch file photo by Doug Bergen.