LIMA, Ohio -- A state appeals court has ruled that Ohio towns can require police officers, firefighters and other employees to live within the city limits.
It's the first time that an appeals court has ruled against a 2006 state law that blocked cities from imposing residency requirements.
The ruling issued Monday by the 3rd District Court of Appeals affects only the 17 Ohio counties in western and northern Ohio that fall under its jurisdiction.
Those counties are: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Logan, Marion, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert and Wyandot.
Since the law went into effect, at least eight cities have filed challenges against it. City leaders in Toledo, Akron, Youngstown and Lima argue that home rule powers ensure their right to set residency requirements.
But firefighters and other city employees said they should have the right to live where they want.
This is a huge boost for these municipalities. This may be a huge hammer for the new union contracts that Fitzgerald and the City Council have to negotiate.
The other thing that this could would be to further solidify the position of having the Directors be required to live in the City.
There is another point to view this potential change, with respect to the City's deficit, Mayor FitzGerald and Council will certainly have to make cuts in services, will being a resident provide a city employee with a little bit more cover or protection if they live in the city. I am looking at this as sort of reverse hiring issue. Certain cities give preferential treatment to prospective employees who live in the city. The question remains can the reverse be true?
We are in for some interesting times here in Lakewood.
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