The Big Residency Debate for UG Employees

When the residency requirement for Unified Government employees was first put in place, Wyandotte County was facing a sharp decline in population, resulting in lost revenue and economic opportunity. But that was a different time — housing was more affordable, income gaps were narrower, and the competition for qualified talent wasn’t nearly as intense as it is today.

Now, the Unified Government is the 7th largest employer in the county, yet roughly 80% of its employees qualify for low-income housing — something we simply don’t have enough of. If we want to attract and retain the talent needed to keep our departments running effectively, we must allow more flexibility for where our employees can live. Reasonable access to housing across the metro area is essential for working families trying to make ends meet.

In today’s economy, workers already face tough decisions. They shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their job and affording a place to live. That’s why I support revising the residency requirement — exempting entry-level and hourly-wage positions, as well as roles without significant oversight responsibilities. At the same time, it’s important that leadership, managerial, and high-level decision-making roles remain held to the residency standard to ensure accountability and connection to the community they serve.