The newly appointed Public Safety Director could be keeping his Stark County home as his permanent residence.

At Monday evening’s Zanesville City Council Meeting, Ordinance No. 18-89 was introduced to waive the city residence requirement for the soon-to-be Public Safety Director, Keane Toney.

According to Ohio Revised Code section 737.01, each city must have a public safety department operated by a director appointed by the mayor. The director is required to be a resident of the city within six-months of assuming the position unless the requirement is waived by ordinance.

Mayor Jeff Tilton said that the former Public Service Director also had his residency requirement waived by council.

Although the ordinance only passed first reading, leaving two more readings before it is able to pass, Tilton believes that there will be no issues with Toney keeping his permanent residence outside of city limits.

If the ordinance passes, Toney will keep a residence in Zanesville during the week and then return to his East Sparta home on the weekends, according to the Mayor.

“If you read their job description in the ORC, their job is to sign contracts, make sure that the police and fire are doing their jobs and making sure that all city buildings are taken care of. Their job is not to go out there and investigate … that’s why we have a Police Chief, a Fire Chief and the supervisors below them.”

Even with the ordinance, Tilton believes that Toney is the best candidate for the city’s needs.

“I went through 40-something resumes, 15 interviews and this man stepped up and … I’m pretty sure he will do a great job for this city,” Tilton said.

The newly hired Public Safety Director is set to assume his position on Aug. 20.