The administration of Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Evansville City Council presented arguments for and against a residency requirement before a panel of all seven Vanderburgh County judges.
The judges, each wearing a black robe, sat in the Civic Center chamber normally used for city council meetings as Bob Burkart, representing the administration, and council attorney Scott Danks presented their arguments.
At issue is a residency ordinance passed by the council, vetoed by Mayor Winnecke, and then overridden by the council. It requires all appointees by the mayor and City Council to boards and commissions to live within Evansville’s city limits.
The Courier and Press reports more than 50 board and commission members who lived outside the city were removed from their positions January 1st.
Burkart said the city council has the authority to implement residency requirements for boards and commissions established under city code, but not boards established by state law.
City Council Attorney Scott Danks disagreed, telling the judges that even if a board is established under state statute, a local government may make a “more restrictive” residency requirement if it chooses.
The judges adjourned Thurday’s hearing, saying they will rule “shortly.”