The City of Nogales conducted a regular meeting on September 3, 2025, where local officials addressed notable revisions to the residency requirements for mayoral candidates. The discussion primarily centered around changes that would permit city managers to live up to 15 miles outside of the city limits, a move seen as a response to the ongoing housing crisis in the area.

During the session, council members pointed out the difficulties in attracting qualified individuals for the mayoral position, largely due to the limited housing options within Nogales. They noted that prior city managers had trouble finding appropriate housing, complicating recruitment efforts.

There was a proposal to modify the existing resolution to include this change in the August 2026 primary vote, which would allow for the 15-mile residency extension. The motion sparked discussion about possibly extending the mayor’s contract from two to four years. While some council members raised concerns regarding the potential financial impacts of longer contracts, others believed it could lead to better candidate attraction over time.

Ultimately, the Council opted to concentrate solely on the residential amendments and removed other proposed alterations related to contract length and compensation from the resolution. This choice was partly influenced by past election results and the intention to avoid the costs associated with special elections.

In summary, the Council’s decision to amend residency requirements demonstrates a proactive strategy to tackle the housing crisis and improve the accessibility of mayoral positions. This amendment will be presented to voters in upcoming primary elections, allowing the community to weigh in on this significant issue.