PHST committee backs 15‑mile residency radius for police and fire chiefs; ordinance drafting to follow

The Public Health, Safety & Transportation committee on Wednesday reported a consensus recommendation to replace a city‑only residency requirement for Aurora’s police and fire chiefs with a mileage‑based rule, recommending a 15‑mile radius from City Hall.

"Notwithstanding the foregoing, the chief of police and fire shall not be required to reside within the city of Aurora provided that they reside within a municipality located within [X] mile radius of City Hall," PHST chair Carl Franco said as he read the sample language discussed in committee and explained the shift from an initial 20‑mile sample to a recommended 15‑mile standard. "We think that's a fair way to go with the 15 miles."

Franco said the committee’s drafting goal was to balance the desire to attract qualified candidates who would not be forced to move their families with a need to ensure chiefs remain reasonably close to the city. Supporters argued a mileage radius eliminates the inconsistent exceptions that have accompanied residency enforcement in the past and widens the candidate pool without allowing chiefs to live out of the region.

Opponents and some council members pressed staff on practical effects. Alderman Maciakos asked whether staff had overlaid current personnel addresses to estimate how many in‑agency leaders would fall inside the proposed radius if it were implemented. "That would give you an idea if ... where they reside," Franco said the committee could provide that analysis.

Council members also raised concerns about response time and community connection. Alderman Maciakos said department heads who live in the city can have more opportunities to hear and engage with residents; the chair argued the 15‑mile radius would keep leaders nearby while avoiding rigid expectations that have required repeated exceptions.

City attorney staff said changing the residency rule would require an ordinance amendment. "Because the residency requirement is built into… I think it's section 2‑77," the city attorney said, and offered to work with committee members to draft precise language and clarifying terms (for example, whether distance is measured "as the crow flies" or by driving distance). Chief of staff Shannon Cameron noted some departments already have different residency rules tied to licensure and that the proposed change targeted police and fire chiefs only.

Franco said the committee intends to work with legal staff to craft ordinance language and route it through the Rules, Administration and Procedures (RAP/wrap) committee for final drafting and a vote. No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the Committee of the Whole meeting; the item remains at the discussion and drafting stage.

Next steps: City attorneys will draft amendment language reflecting the committee’s 15‑mile recommendation and clarify measurement methodology. The drafting will be reviewed with the wrap committee before return to the council for consideration.