The issue of residency requirements for Danville city employees has resurfaced. There was some discussion of it months ago, but no action was taken. Now, Mayor Rickey Williams has asked city council members whether it should remain the same, or be limited to 5, 10 or 30 miles, or being a resident of Vermilion County….
”We cannot change what the unions say until it’s time for their contract,” said Mayor Williams. ”We could make like – let’s say if we said five miles for everyone, we could put that in place for everyone who is not bound by a union contract. Then at the times that we negotiate with the unions, then if we wanted – or if they wanted to have that five miles – or whatever it might be — then they would have to negotiate that with us.”
City Council member Dan Duncheon says it would be difficult to development a uniform residency requirement….
”I think that we all agree that we would love to have every city employee living in the city,” said Duncheon. ”I think I agree with Mr. Strebing and Mr. Puhr that the Administrative position (is) should be required to live in town – or at least strongly encouraged. But I’m hesitant on even trying to develop a uniform residency requirement,” added Duncheon.
Alderwoman Sherry Pickering notes times have changed, and she says it is getting harder to get applicants for city jobs…
”Our pool of potential employees has dwindled,” said Pickering. ”The residential requirements need to be extended to broaden the pool of potential employees,” she added.
Alderman Mike Puhr says he is concerned about the number of engineers the city has lost. The city is down to two when Puhr claims there should be at least six. He says most engineering candidates would rather live in the Champaign or St. Joseph areas than Danville.
