Lakeville considers changing mayor's term from 2 years to 4

A sampling of 31 of the largest cities in Minnesota shows that only three have mayors who serve a two-year rather than a four-year term. All three are in Dakota County, and fast-growing Lakeville is by far the biggest.

The Lakeville City Council considered extending that term in 2006 and 2009. It's considering it again this year and residents are encouraged to share their opinions at the June 15 council meeting.

If a change is made, it wouldn't affect Mayor Matt Little's term in office, but would go into effect with the 2016 election.

Council Member Colleen LaBeau raised the issue at a May 11 work session.

"I've had many residents ask why we do it every two years instead of four," she said. "Most large cities do four years."

LaBeau said she doesn't actually know where she stands on the issue herself.

"I just simply said this is something we need to talk about," she said.

The cities of West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights also have two-year terms for mayors. Both cities have talked about changing that, but have voted it down.

In Inver Grove Heights, the City Council has considered the changing the mayor's term to four years twice in the last decade, said City Administrator Joe Lynch. They most recently considered the change two years ago, but decided to keep the shorter term so it would be easier to vote somebody out of office, he said.

Lakeville also proposed the change in 2006 and 2009, but didn't have the majority of the council behind it.

Council Member Bart Davis is leaning toward supporting a longer term.

Campaigning every two years, he said, can take away from the business of leading a fast-growing city. A four-year term offers more consistency and the ability to set a longer-term vision.

Council Member Doug Anderson is in favor of a four-year term.

"Four years makes sense," he said. "We're kind of an outlier with two years."

The process to change the mayor's term would be a simple ordinance amendment. If the council is in agreement, they could vote on the issue as soon as the June 15 meeting. If, after hearing from the public, the council decides to continue with the shorter term, no action would need to be taken.