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Freeport council stalls change to residency rules after heated debate
Summary
The City Council debated Ordinance 2025-17, which would relax residency requirements for certain city positions. After extended discussion about past hiring practices and enforcement of the code, the ordinance failed to reach the five-vote threshold required to adopt it.
The Freeport City Council debated an ordinance that would amend city residency requirements for certain positions but did not adopt it after a divided vote.
Alderman James Monroe led objections to the ordinance during the second-reading debate, saying the proposal would reward past disregard for rules and make the city look like it treats employees differently than residents. “We have a city manager who, in my opinion, has allowed this type of activity to go on,” Monroe said, adding that the change appeared aimed at covering prior hires and not at improving recruitment.
City Manager Rob Boyer defended the proposal as a practical measure to allow promotions and retain…
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