Council gives reading to residency issue

Council members say too much money is being spent to fight a state residency law.

BY MAYSOON ABDELRASUL

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — An ordinance to comply with state law allowing city employees to live outside the city they work in got a first reading Wednesday by city council.

The ordinance would require that city employees live in Trumbull County or any county on the border, including Mahoning, Columbiana and Geauga counties.

Councilman Bob Dean, D-at large, initially wanted to put the ordinance up for passage at the meeting. But because of concerns and questions from other council members, he agreed with their request to put it in first reading — allowing more time for discussion.

The city is appealing a Trumbull County Common Pleas Court ruling that says the state law approved in January 2006 is superior to Warren’s residency law, which currently requires city employees to live in Warren.

Dean said too much money has been spent in the appeal process already and if the issue makes it to the state Supreme Court, more taxpayers’ money will be lost. The city has spent about $30,000 to fight the state law.

“We are paying them [in-house lawyers] as they work on this,” he said.

Dean said that Warren should follow the state law.

Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, said he believes council should wait out the appeal process. “I think we should just stay on course and see what happens,” Fonce said.

Deputy Law Director Jim Ries said cities aren’t faring well with residency requirements. He said Warren has to challenge the state law because of the residency law that is on the books in Warren.

“It’s an uphill battle, and it always has been,” he said.

After the state law went into effect, council approved an ordinance in support of the new law — but Mayor Michael O’Brien vetoed the action.

Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at large said she doesn’t understand what role council plays in the legislation, because council told the mayor when the law first went into effect that council does not want to pursue the issue. The administration decided otherwise.

O’Brien said the action is needed. “It’s an important safety issue for the city in regards to response times for fire and police departments,” he said.

Council also rejected a fact-finder’s report regarding the police department.

The fact-finder recommended four 10-hour work days and an increase in wages 3.3 percent in 2007, 3.7 percent in 2008 and 4 percent in 2009. The matter will go to binding arbitration.