STPUD contemplating term limits for board members

By Kathryn Reed

South Tahoe Public Utility District board members are expected to vote March 4 whether they want to take the issue of term limits to the voters.

Three of the five must agree to place it on the ballot for it to be there. Because the district does not have any members up for election until 2012, it would incur about a $17,000 bill to have the question on the November ballot.

It would then be up to the voters if they want the STPUD board members to be termed out.

Board President Dale Rise is proposing three four-year terms be the maximum any person could serve. It would not affect current board members unless they are re-elected — that’s when the start of the 12 years would be begin based on state law.

This means with the next election being in 2012 for STPUD that those people could serve until 2024.

At this juncture, it does not look like the board is interested in having an at-large election for the five seats. The board has the power to change this without voter approval.

Also at the 2pm March 4 meeting the board is expected to further discuss the city’s proposed redevelopment area. City officials gave a 2.5-hour presentation to the board at its Feb. 18 meeting.