A Supreme Court judge has ruled against a lawsuit brought by a dozen city residents against the mayor and City Council.

The judge ruled the council did not violate the city’s code of ethics when it voted last year to allow elected officials to serve four-year terms.

The vote to extend term limits has been the focus of heated debates in public hearings held by the council.

The judge compared it to a similar case in New York City where the city council extended term limits for elected officials in 2008.

The lawsuit also sought a referendum on the issue. However, the judge ruled that the referendum process is not required to be applied to future term limit modifications.

News 12 reached out to both sides in the lawsuit.

Mayor Mike Spano released the following statement:

“We, of course, are pleased with the court ruling, but at the end of the day, it's about giving people a choice. I look forward to taking my record of accomplishments to voters on Election Day."