Elected officials consider scrapping residency rule

Topeka’s governing body, consisting of Mayor Michelle De La Isla and the nine city council members, will consider doing away with the city’s requirement that all its employees be “bona fide residents of Shawnee County” within six months of their hiring. The proposed change needs six votes for approval.

Council members Karen Hiller, Jeff Coen and Tony Emerson are on record as supporting the proposal, while Councilwoman Sandra Clear suggested at the Feb. 19 council meeting that she would be willing to support it. De La Isla and Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz spoke against the proposal at that meeting, where Councilman Brendan Jensen said he had reservations about it.