Mark Ragozine

The Ohio House unanimously passed a bill removing residency requirements by the state for city safety and/or service directors, which was prompted by Girard Safety-Service Director Mark Ragozine not living in that city.

State Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, whose district includes Girard, said Ragozine’s issue led him to introduce the legislation Aug. 28. The House voted 91-0 Wednesday in favor of it. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Under current state law, city mayors are required to appoint safety and/or service directors who must reside in that municipality within six months of their hiring date unless the requirement is waived by city ordinance. The bill eliminates the state requirement, permitting city councils to decide if residency is necessary.

Thomas said while Ragozine is the only case in which this is currently an issue, it has happened in the past and should not be an impediment for cities in the future.

“Cities should have the ability to hire the best candidate,” Thomas said. “Cities can do whatever they like under this bill. This removes the state requirement.”

About 10 years ago, the state Legislature removed the residency requirement for several other positions appointed by mayors, but these two were omitted, Thomas said.

The bill “answers the simple question, who is best able to determine the most qualified candidate: the Statehouse or City Hall?” Thomas said. “This is a good local control bill that cleans up outdated language for our local communities.”

Thomas also acknowledged that cities don’t always follow the state law requirement.

“It’s not followed a lot,” he said. “It’s kind of a silly law. We want to clean it up.”

Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo appointed Ragozine as safety-service director, effective Feb. 3, 2025.

When Ragozine, who lives in Howland, was hired, city council gave him until Jan. 1, 2026, to move into the city and on June 23, 2025, extended that deadline to June 1, 2026. Both deadlines were well past the state’s six-month requirement.

When Ragozine was hired, Thomas said he was recently married and purchased a home for his wife’s work location.

While Girard could pass an ordinance granting an exception to the residency requirement, Thomas said Girard and many others don’t veer from the state law.

Ragozine also is among five finalists for Boardman Township administrator with interviews scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Ragozine couldn’t be reached Friday to comment.

Ragozine was the only person to testify as a proponent of the bill at a Nov. 5 House Local Government Committee hearing.

At the hearing, Ragozine said: “Unfortunately, under current law, our ability to recruit and retain the most qualified candidates is limited by the residency requirement. Cities — especially smaller or mid-sized ones — often face challenges in finding individuals with the right combination of experience and leadership. The most qualified person for the job may live just outside city limits, but that technicality can prevent them from serving. (This bill) would correct that by allowing mayors and councils to make hiring decisions based on merit, not geography.”

He added: “Lifting this restriction would align with the realities of today’s workforce. Professionals increasingly balance complex family, housing and community considerations. Many serve communities just a few miles from home, demonstrating the same level of dedication and accountability as any resident. What matters most is their ability to perform, manage and deliver results for the public they serve.”

No one testified against the bill.

At a Feb. 4 committee hearing, Kent Scarrett, the Ohio Municipal League’s executive director, which represents 730 cities and villages, said the organization “appreciates” the change “clarifying that municipalities would retain the ability to permissively establish residency expectations through local policy if they choose. This amendment preserves local, home rule authority while ensuring residency is not mandated by the state — a balance OML strongly supports.”