In all, about 150 positions would be effected. The bill impacts only new hires and gives six months for them to move to Baltimore. But Mary Talley, Baltimore's human resources head, warns the requirement could make it tough to find qualified candidates to fill top jobs.
"In the quest to find the best and the brightest candidates to fill executive and hard to fill positions, having a residency restriction would prove to be limiting," Talley writes in a letter to the council.
More than 72% of Baltimore's residents do not have the minimum qualifications to be considered for such positions, Talley notes. "Surrounding jurisdictions including Prince George's, Montgomery and Baltimore counties, which serves as our primary feeder group for candidates, do not impose residency requirements," Talley writes.