Term limits for Allegheny County officials to be on the ballot in November

Voters across Allegheny County will decide in November whether to impose term limits on county officials after County Council approved legislation Tuesday to place the question on the general election ballot in November.

The bill authorizes three separate ballot questions asking whether to establish 12-year term limits for the county executive, council members and row officers, including the controller, district attorney, sheriff and treasurer.

County Council approved the measure in a 10-4 vote following a heated debate.

If voters approve the limits, the 12-year term limit period would begin in 2027, allowing current officeholders to serve up to 12 additional years regardless of prior tenure.

Sponsors - including council members Patrick Catena, Bethany Hallam, Dan Gryzbek, Alex Roze, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling and Suzanne Filiaggi - said the proposal is intended to prevent "stagnation" and to promote diversity and new perspectives in county government.

Opponents argued it is aimed at removing specific officials.

"I have spoken with several members of this body for whom the purpose of this bill is not to adjust the county charter, but for retaliation - to remove people from this body and other row offices," Councilman Jordan Botta said during the debate.

Councilman Nicholas Futules, who has represented District 7 for 18 years, echoed that criticism. He said he once attempted to introduce term limits himself in retaliation after Bethany Hallam defeated his friend, longtime incumbent John DeFazio, for an at-large seat in 2019.

"I did that exact same thing … I retaliated," Mr. Futules said. "I put up term limits here on this council, and everybody wanted to kill me, so I dropped it - but I retaliated."

Mr. Futules said he has since repaired his relationship with Ms. Hallam, but he questioned the need for term limits.

"Somebody tell me what is broken with county government that needs to be fixed," he said. "I just don't know, unless it's retaliation."

Ms. Madonna-Emmerling said term limits could encourage more people to run for office.

"The reason things are moving quickly with this council is because there are so many new, energetic people," she said. "It's new life experiences … people who understand modern issues because we are living them."

Councilman Robert Palmosina disagreed, saying term limits could discourage candidates.

"What if someone comes into office at 30 and has to leave at 42?" he said. "What sense does that make?"

Mr. Gryzbek, a co-sponsor, said voters - not council - will make the final decision and rejected claims that the measure is retaliatory.

"The voters are going to decide this, and it is not an attack on any individual," he said. "Allegheny County voters deserve to decide whether they want term limits."

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 3:46 PM.