10/27/2026
Below are 10 “America 250”-inspired bills introduced this year that are designed to encourage participation, transparency, and fresh representation These Bills and Resolutions were submitted through the proper channels, placed on Charleston City Council’s Agenda and referred by Maor Goodwin to the City’s Ordinance and Rules Committee – but to date have not been placed on the agenda of the committee.
1. Bill No. 8070 – Adding Term Limits for Members of City Council - Maximum three terms / 12 years (March 2, 2026).
2. Bill No. 8071 – Adding Term Limits for the Municipal Judge - Maximum three terms / 12 years (March 2, 2026).
3. Bill No. 8072 – Adding Term Limits for the Office of Treasurer - Maximum three terms / 12 years (March 2, 2026).
4. Bill No. 8073 – Adding Term Limits for the Office of Mayor - Maximum three terms / 12 years (March 2, 2026).
5. Bill No. 8079 – Adds staggered elections for City Council - so half of Council is elected every 2 years, instead of all of Council every 4 years. Similar to WV Senate (May 18, 2026).
6. Resolution No. 26-059– Creates a requirement that all bills submitted by members of city council be included on the agenda of their committees of reference within 45 days (May 18, 2026).
7. Resolution No. 26-083 – Allows bills to expire after a calendar-year, so they may potentially be re-introduced later. Similar to WV legislature (July 6, 2026).
8. Bill No. 8088 – Establishes roll call voting as the default method for recording votes of Council, so everyone can know how their City Councilors voted (August 17, 2026).
9. Resolution No. 26-101 – Expands time for public speakers at City Council meetings with three minute maximum per speaker with no limit on number of speakers - similar to Huntington and Morgantown (Aug 17, 2026).
10. Bill No. 8095 – Establishes a transparent and participatory process for filling vacancies on City Council, while also preventing the temporary appointment process from conferring a electoral advantage (Sept. 21, 2026).
During the City Council Meting on October 19, 2026 Councilwoman Snodgrass, Councilman Solomon and I took turns asking for each of these Bills & Resolutions, one by one, to be discharged from Committee and brought back to Council Floor where they could be discussed and voted on November 2, 2026. All of our motions were voted down and the Bills and Resolutions are still sitting in limbo.
I have provided the link below so you can see for yourself what happened and how various elected officials conducted themselves during this process and afterwards.
The Discussion for the Discharge of the Bills & Resolutions begins at 40 minutes, New Bill introduced at 1 hr 14 minutes and Remarks at 1 hr 17 minutes.
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Core Responsibilities of Charleston City Council
According to the City of Charleston Code of Ordinances and state law, the council’s duties include:
• Legislating: Making, amending, or repealing city ordinances, policies, and laws.
• Adopting the city budget: Reviewing, adopting, and amending the annual budget, including the annual tax estimate and levy required by W. Va. Code § 11 8 14
• Taxation: Levying taxes within limits set by state law and approving tax rates for services.
• Appointments: Approving or rejecting mayoral appointees, including department directors and other key officials
• Meetings: Convening regular public sessions (first and third Mondays of each month) and special meetings as authorized by the charter and state law
• Annual fiscal sessions: Holding special sessions in March and April for budget and tax levy matters
• Organizational meetings: Conducting quadrennial organizational sessions with the mayor elect and council elects
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