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Boone council debates expanding firefighters’ residency radius as staffing concerns persist
Summary
The Boone City Council debated a union request to expand residency rules for certain fire positions from 10 miles to a wider radius, with the union citing recruitment needs and some council members warning expanded limits could increase emergency response times.
The Boone City Council discussed a request from the firefighters’ union to change the municipal residency requirement that currently requires certain emergency employees to live within 10 miles of the city limits.
Councilmember Rebecca Williamson (Policy Administration) opened discussion by reading the ordinance language under review: certain positions “must live within 10 miles of the corporate limits of the city,” which the union asked to expand to 20 miles. Williamson said the Policy & Administration Committee voted to bring the request to the full council for consideration.
Proponents argued a larger radius would widen the hiring pool and reduce overtime and burnout. Union representative Casey Peterson told the council the department remains staffed now but that expanding the radius would aid future recruitment. “We are still a fully staffed department. We still have 3 fully certified firefighters coming to your house,” Peterson said, adding the change is intended to increase applicant numbers rather than prompt current members to move.
City and council opponents raised response-time concerns. One council member warned that “20 miles as the crow flies can mean a 25 minute response time or a 30 minute response time,” and said that extended response intervals could be dangerous during large fires.
City leaders and the fire chief discussed callback data and staffing patterns. A city speaker reported the department averages about 349 callbacks a year — nearly one per day — and said staffing shortages and unpredictable call volume are the core issue. The chief and union said recent trial staffing adjustments reduced callback frequency, but both sides agreed recruitment and retention present long-term challenges.
During the meeting a council member proposed a compromise amendment to allow a 15‑mile radius as a test; that motion was seconded and a roll-call vote was recorded with mixed yes/no responses (see vote record below). The meeting transcript records the roll call but does not include a formal announcement of final ordinance adoption during the session.
What’s next: Council did not adopt a final ordinance change at this meeting. Council members asked staff and the fire department to continue discussions; the item may return to Policy & Administration or a future council agenda for further action.
Context: The issue has come to council previously and involves weighing recruitment benefits against potential increases in emergency response times if recruits live significantly farther from the station.
