New Metro government workers would be required to live in Davidson County if a bill introduced by District 22 Metro Councilman Eric Crafton were to pass.
Crafton’s bill will be on first reading at the June 2 Metro Council meeting. The bill would require new Metro hires to live in Davidson County, while also providing a 90-day period for them to move. The bill would not be retroactive, meaning workers who already live outside Davidson County would not be forced to move.
“If people want to work here and live off the taxpayers of this county, then they should be required to live here too,” Crafton said. “Taxes are what pays for this government and it’s what pays their salaries.”
Crafton called the legislation a benefit to the Davidson County tax base and said too may Metro workers already live out of county.
“My idea is for those jobs should go first to those people who already live here or are moving here,” Crafton said.
The issue of in-county Metro workers has been broached several times during Metro Council budget hearings. Crafton predicted the bill would receive support on Council.
“I think it’s going to pass,” Crafton said. “We’ve considered this issue up before and talked about it before, but never really acted on it.”