Some officials in Aurora are advocating to modify or eliminate the requirement that city department leaders live in Aurora. This requirement is seen by some, like Michele Clark, the city’s chief human resources officer, as limiting the applicant pool and affecting staff diversity. Others, such as Alderman Shweta Baid from the 10th Ward, argue for maintaining a local connection for leaders. The proposal to adjust the residency rule, presented to the City Council in August, is being reviewed again by the committee.
During a recent City Council Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee meeting, held for nearly an hour, officials discussed potential changes. Some proposed eliminating the residency requirement altogether, allowing department heads to live in nearby towns. Clark expressed, “I don’t think your address dictates how committed or invested you are into the community.” The committee will discuss this topic further in the next meeting on October 20.
The proposed change would go beyond a recent ordinance that allows police and fire chiefs to reside within 15 miles of Aurora, removing the city limit requirement. Alderman Daniel Barreiro from the 1st Ward emphasized how a residency requirement is not necessary for non-public safety officials, citing high turnover among department leaders as an issue.
Barreiro, who worked under several department heads during his tenure with the city’s Human Resources Department, noted the difficulty in enforcing residency rules. Currently, 53% of department heads and 29% of city employees live in Aurora. Barreiro recalled significant staff departures when Aurora previously eased the residency rule for full-time staff.
Clark highlighted that removing the requirement might expedite hiring and attract better candidates for specialized roles. This year, 66% of candidates for full-time positions live outside Aurora, which could broaden the applicant pool. Alderman Carl Franco from the 5th Ward supports the idea of removing the rule, labeling it as outdated and a barrier for filling key roles such as the fire chief.
While Baid proposes that department heads have two years of Aurora work experience to ensure connection to the city, Clark worries this could hinder diversity. Currently, women make up only 25% of the city’s workforce compared to 47% nationally. Maintaining internal promotions could reinforce the gender imbalance, she warned.
Historically, Aurora has oscillated on requiring residency for city employees. Arguments for residency have included quicker response times and improved public safety. In the past, residency was temporarily linked to crime rates. As it stands, certain department heads exempt from the requirement need professional licenses or specific training.