RESOLUTION NO. RS2003-60

A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources, and all department heads of the Metropolitan Government to declare a moratorium on the hiring of employees that are not residents of Davidson County.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Code of Laws currently only requires Metropolitan Government employees to be residents of the State of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, the federal courts have consistently held that municipalities may require governmental employees to reside within the jurisdiction of the municipality without violating the U.S. Constitution as long as the requirement serves a legitimate local purpose; and

WHEREAS, requiring employees of the Metropolitan Government to live within Davidson County serves a legitimate local purpose in that it encourages accountability for such employees because they are direct beneficiaries of the services they provide; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government declare a moratorium on the hiring of employees who do not live within Davidson County, or allow such persons a reasonable time to relocate to Davidson County upon being hired by the Metropolitan Government.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor, the Metropolitan Department of Human Resources, and all Metropolitan Government department heads to declare a moratorium on the hiring of employees that are not residents of Davidson County, or alternatively, allow such persons a reasonable time to relocate to Davidson County upon being hired by the Metropolitan Government.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to Billy Lynch, the director of the Department of Human Resources, and to all other department heads of the Metropolitan Government.

Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace, Jamie Isabel