Supreme Court to Hear Broward’s Voter-Backed Term Limits

The constitutionality of Broward Countys voter-approved term limits for its county commissioners will be decided by the Florida Supreme Court.

The states top court agreed to hear the case on Monday.

Attorney Bill Scherer filed suit to have the term limits voided, arguing that only the state Constitution can determine disqualifiers from holding office for constitutional offices such as county commissioner, reported the Sun-Sentinel. He argued that the state Supreme Court had already made that ruling, in the 2002 case of Cook v. City of Jacksonville.

In August, the 4th District Court of Appeal upheld the constitutionality of Broward commissioners being limited to three terms. The decision by the state's top court could impact a number of other counties across Florida that have also imposed term limits on countywide officers.

Voters in Broward County agreed to impose term limits in 2000.

Briefs are due Jan. 6, 2012.

Meanwhile, a bill is before both chambers of the state Legislature -- SB 1070, proposed by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, and HB 785, by Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven -- would allow term limits to be imposed on county commissioners and constitutional officers when provided in the county charter.