By BRADY GIBSON
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
The Westfield City Council has approved an ordinance adding term limits for elected city officials, overriding the mayor’s veto.
The council voted 5-2 Monday night to override Mayor Andy Cook’s veto, his first veto in 15 years in office.
The measure limits the mayor and council members to two consecutive terms in office. The city clerk/treasurer will be limited to three consecutive four-year terms.
“The reason I elected to veto was not based on the merits of term limits; it was solely based on legality,” Mayor Andy Cook stated during the news conference. “When I took this office several years ago, I took an oath of office that said I would uphold the constitution of the State of Indiana. It is for that reason I have vetoed this ordinance.”
Click here to watch Tuesday’s news conference on YouTube.
City administration not only sought the opinion of city legal staff at Taft Law, but also Co-Chairman of the Indiana Election Division Brad King, who advised that the purview setting of term limits is purely at the discretion of state legislature.
The new limits would take effect in 2024, after next year’s election.
Cook, who is serving his fourth term as mayor of Westfield, says he has not made a decision on whether he will seek another term in next year’s election.
The limits approved Monday would not include any terms served prior to Jan. 1, 2024.
Click here to read Ordinance 22-50.