Festus considers extending city administrator residency radius to 30 miles, council favors waiver flexibility

City Administrator Ben told the council his contract requires residency within a defined radius and presented a draft ordinance that would change that radius from 20 miles to 30 miles. He said other options include allowing council-issued waivers, requiring only state residency, or repealing the residency ordinance entirely.

Ben said, "Brian and I put together a very basic ordinance that would simply amend the residency radius from 20 to 30 miles," and asked for direction. Several council members said hiring realities make flexibility important; one member suggested granting council discretion to waive the requirement for individual hires. City Attorney Brian said he would add language permitting the council to waive the radius requirement at its discretion and have the revised draft ready for the next meeting.

Council discussion emphasized practical recruitment concerns and a preference for a 30-mile standard with a council waiver rather than an absolute in-state or city-limits requirement.