Amend the County Code to expand the residency area requirement, and timeframe, for the Deputy County Administrator and the Director of Economic Development positions.

On May 22, 2023, Council considered the first reading of this Ordinance.  The Ordinance was to eliminate the residency requirement for the Deputy County Administrator position, as well as the Director of Economic Development. 

County Council discussed the importance they place on these key management positions and wanted to consider some other ideas to give some leeway in the residency requirement to attract applicants for these key positions, plus revisit the timeframe for residency.

Based on Council discussion, the Ordinance has been revised to require residency within the County for both the Deputy County Administrator and the Economic Development Director, unless they live in an adjacent county to Lancaster County at the time an employment offer is accepted.

This expansion of the residency requirement area to adjacent counties of Lancaster County addresses the desire to have county employees close to their worksites, but recognizes the family and economic realities in a tight employment market, and in the Charlotte-metro area. 

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 expand the residency requirement area currently outlined in the code for the Deputy County Administrator and the Economic Development Director positions. 

The current 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 or housing financing issues, 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.  However, many applicants cannot commit to uprooting their families just to move 10 miles away to satisfy a residency requirement. 

In addition, many area applicants may have bought a house in recent years with low interest rates that cannot be obtained in the current credit market.  Further, housing options and availability in Lancaster County are limited given the County's historic growth, which could eliminate many from accepting a job with the County.

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.

Another component of the Ordinance provision is to extend the residency requirement timeframe, if not presently living in a county adjacent to Lancaster County, to recognize the economic reality of limited housing options and affordability, that it might take a new hire more than six months to secure their preferred living arrangement in Lancaster County.

Approval of Ordinance 2023-1851.