The Charter Review Committee Thursday presented five amendments to be submitted to voters for consideration on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, including campaign finance reform, spending, making the sheriff’s position appointed rather than elected and extending term limits for elected officials.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is required under its charter to pass along to voters any recommendation made by the committee, which convenes every six years to consider and recommends amendments to the document.
But county board members were quick to raise concerns.
“We take oath to uphold constitution of the United States and State of Oregon,” Commissioner Judy Shiprack told the committee. If the amendment limiting campaign spending by political candidates or contributors passes, Shiprack said, it could face a constitutional challenge. And that would put the county in the position of defending a law it may not necessarily support, she said.
“Did county counsel take a position?” Commissioner Shiprack asked deputy county attorney Jacqueline Weber. “Our office provided legal analysis if a lawsuit were filed, yes, our office would be in a position to defend that,” Weber responded. “We provided information and analysis to the committee. Despite that legal analysis, they decided to go forward.”
Commissioners Diane McKeel, Loretta Smith and Jules Bailey also raised concerns about the recommendation. Chair Deborah Kafoury is on vacation and did not attend the meeting.
The committee also proposed offering voters a choice between having an elected sheriff or one appointed by the county board. “We’ve seen the importance of direct voter control and accountability in some of our most important offices,” Commissioner Bailey said.
Kirsten Leonard, the chair of the Charter Review Committee, said an appointed sheriff would increase accountability and expand the pool of applications beyond those who are politically ambitious.
The committee also put forth an amendment that would have voters choose whether or not elected officials can serve three consecutive terms instead of two, as is currently allowed. Leonard said the committee felt it would decrease turnover and allow officials to worry less about running for office and more about the work at hand if they could serve another term.
Finally, the committee put forward giving voters a choice to lift a requirement for sitting commissioners to resign from office if they decided to run for county chair.