Attorney General Bill Schuette has struck down a move by the Warren City Council to extend their term limits by an additional eight years in office.
According to The Macomb Daily, the council had voted 4-1 in favor of the expansion last month but the AG’s Office pointed out that, with two of the seven council members absent, the tally fell short of the three-fifths majority required by state law to amend a city charter. Three-fifths requires five votes.
The expanded term limits, from three 4-year terms to five 4-year terms, would also apply to Mayor Jim Fouts (pictured above), who some political observers believe is behind the move. Fouts, who is in his third and final term, denies it.
Warren voters approved term limits many years ago and some current council members have been eager to rework the system. Last year, two councilmen circumvented the rules with the help of the city attorney.
UPDATED VERSION — Macomb County judge essentially rewrites Warren’s term limits law
The expanded limits proposed would have appeared on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot for voter approval. A resolution sent to the AG by the council had certified that proper procedures were followed.
“They falsified the resolution and said it was a three-fifths vote,” Councilman Scott Stevens, the lone “no” vote, told The Macomb Daily.
The AG’s Office said the council can hold another vote when the entire council is on hand. That re-vote could take place at Tuesday’s council meeting.
