City Council adopts residency ordinance for fire, police chief.

The Guthrie City Council Tuesday learned that Dane Lausen was named as the next fire chief. He takes over for the retiring Eric Harlow.

Prior to making that announcement, the City Council discussed an ordinance regarding the residency of a fire and police chief.

Lausen lives less than five miles from the city limits and two miles outside of the Guthrie school district.

In June 2021, the council adopted an ordinance requiring the police chief and fire chief to live within city limits, the Guthrie school district, or the Coyle school district.

City Manager Eddie Faulkner told the council adding a fourth criteria would allow the chief to live within 20 miles of the fire station. allowing the city to offer the position to Lausen. The Council adopted Faulkner’s suggestion into the revised ordinance.

Councilman Brian Bothroyd said the ordinance might not be legal or enforceable.

“My concern is it is a legal, binding ordinance,” Bothroyd said.

Mayor Steve Gentling said the best candidate should not be denied the position because of a technicality.

“We are doing a service for the City of Guthrie by selecting the best candidate by the (interview) panel,” he said. “It would be unfortunate to turn that over due to a technicality of this sort.”