CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Should Charlotte City Council members have the power to extend their own term limits longer than two years?

It would take 5,000 signatures and voters would have the final say

The idea came up in October

Some council members say there are more important issues to focus on

It's a matter coming up again that's gaining some steam. The difficult discussion, first floated in October, came up again Tuesday morning.

“We have the political ability to do this, the question is, are there members on council who recognize the value,” councilwoman Lawana Mayfield said.

The council committee on budget and effectiveness voted 3-to-2 to forward that debate to the full council in December. Councilwoman Lawana Mayfield supports the idea. She says councilmembers would spend less time focusing on elections. It boils down to effectiveness in serving constituents.

“We basically hit a dead point where we stop and then we have to start all over again, staff has to get new council members caught up,” she said.

“We do not have the unilateral power to just make this happen,” councilman Edmund Driggs said.

Some on the committee are wondering if citizens should be asked first what they think. Mayfield said they technically don't have to. It's a point she and Driggs tangled over. It would only take 5,000 signatures and voters would definitely get the final say.

Councilman Tariq Bokhari is one of two “no” votes on longer terms. He says the council has more pressing issues to focus on.