City considers repealing residency requirements for first responders

On Monday, the newest members of the Kalispell City Council will hold their first work session.

The council is considering eliminating residency requirements for emergency responders in order to increase the applicant and labor pool.

In 1981, the city adopted residency requirements for firefighters into its municipal code, but the requirements are applicable to police, fire and emergency medical services personnel. Specifically, the residency requirements apply to “job descriptions requiring the prompt response to emergency situations within the city of Kalispell.”

Under the 1981 requirements, these employees must reside within three air miles of the city or a 15-minute response time from their residences to the city.

The 1981 requirements went into place following a ballot initiative.

At this point, the city is considering repealing the requirements, “to provide additional flexibility in residency options for these positions.”

Repealing the residency requirements would make emergency personnel residency requirements line up with residency requirements for other city employees. They are required to live in Flathead County. Job preference is given to applicants who reside in the city of Kalispell.

At the work session, city staff will present an overview of the residency requirements. The presentation will also explain the original rationale for implementing the requirements and go over the ways in which that rationale might no longer be relevant “in today’s environment.”

If the council discussion on Monday seems to favor repealing the requirements, the city council will discuss at a future time the process through which it would be able to repeal a ballot initiative.

The work session begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East.