Amend the County Code to eliminate the residency requirement for the Deputy County Administrator position, as well as eliminate the residency requirement for the Director of Economic Development position.

The County presently has a residency requirement, as a condition of employment for three positions -- the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator and Economic Development Director.

With the pending vacancy of the Deputy County Administrator position (Assistant County Administrator), the County Administrator would like to eliminate the residency requirement currently outlined in the code for the Deputy County Administrator and the Economic Development Director positions. 

The residency requirement for the County Administrator would remain.

The residency adjustment is being made to ensure the County can maximize the talent pool for both positions in the future and not limit those interested and qualified, but for family location reasons may not be able to satisfy a county residency requirement.

Given the large metro employment market Lancaster is in and the needs of families today from school choice, medical services and proximity to family members, there is a growing talent pool just outside the Lancaster County borders, but many cannot commit to uprooting their families just to move 10 miles away to satisfy a residency requirement.  

While living in the County is preferable, there are many department directors who could be candidates for advancement positions within County Administration, but would not be able to accept a promotion given the current residency requirements for the Deputy (or Assistant Administrator) position.

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Approval of Ordinance 2023-1851.