Montgomery city councilors approve residency accountability resolution

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Montgomery City Council members will now have to provide proof that they live in the district they represent.

City councilors voted unanimously to pass the resolution during Tuesday’s council meeting.

The resolution, which was introduced by District 6 councilman Oronde Mitchell, is aimed at better transparency.

Mitchell tells Action 8 that a driving force in getting this passed was the controversy that happened with former city councilwoman Marche Johnson a few months ago.  Johnson was removed from office after property records show that Johnson purchased a home in District 7 with a VA loan, which requires the military member to live in the residence. Montgomery city councilors are required to live in the district they represent.

Johnson had represented District 3 since 2021.

Under the new resolution, mortgages, property deeds, or property tax information are a few items council members can use for proof of residency in their district. Councilors would only be required to make one public record.

“We want to make sure that we are living in the district that we represent,” says Mitchell. “So we looked at some of the prior things that was happening, and we wanted citizens to know that our integrity is here, and we want them to trust us when we do things. Outside of going to the election center and registering to be a candidate, outside of your drivers license, there’s nothing that actually certifies you to be the elected official, so now we made it official that you must certify.”

Under this resolution, members would have to re-certify every year on April 1st.