San Diego County’s Democratic Central Committee has voted to endorse an initiative on the June 8 ballot that would limit members of the County Board of Supervisors to two four-terms.

The Supervisors have been long protected by scant oversight, little public understanding of their duties, and a $10 million discretionary fund that they can dole out to build political goodwill. Disconnected from their constituents, they have been derelict in their responsibilities to provide adequate health and social services, fire protection, environmental oversight, and transparency in government, according to the proponents of term limits.

By guaranteeing turnover on a board where the same five Republicans have sat for the past 15 years, the initiative would be a major check against the power of incumbency and a step toward ensuring a more responsive county government.