Council GOP pushes to remove residency requirement for city employees

Catch up quick: Since 1977, anyone who accepts full- or part-time employment with the city or county must live within Marion County within six months of accepting the job.

Yes, but: The rule doesn't apply to interns, firefighters, IMPD, 911 operators or "persons who have specialized skills or training if there is no suitable applicant for the position residing within the limits of Marion County."

What they're saying: Minority Leader Michael-Paul Hart said the proposal came from a roundtable conversation with the county's public safety leaders.

• "We said to them, 'How can the City Council address the shortages of employees that you are seeing in your organizations?'" Hart said during a press conference Wednesday. "And they unanimously told us: remove residency requirements."
• Hart said they want to expand the talent pool and retain more employees who may leave city employment when they want to move for more affordable housing or better schools — two issues he said he's heard about from city workers.

What's next: The proposal will be introduced to the council Monday, which is also when the next year's city budget will be presented.

• Hart said he hasn't talked to his Democratic colleagues, who control the council, but feels good about the chances of getting it passed.
• Council President Vop Osili did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.