Council appoints Derek Cox as town marshal, sets start date one week out

The Town Council appointed Derek Cox as town marshal in a 5-0 roll call vote at its Sept. 30 meeting, and set his start date for one week after the meeting to allow for transition and communication.

Council members said they reviewed internal and external candidates and performed vetting before the decision, and they thanked officers for their input. A councilmember called the decision “one of the hardest decisions I've had to make on this council” and said a letter from the police department “pulled a lot of weight” in deliberations.

The council formalized the appointment after a motion to name Cox passed unanimously. The roll call vote recorded “yes” from Pam Brown, councilmember; Greg O'Necker, councilmember; Deb Hendrickson, councilmember; Joe Sailor, councilmember; and Richard Hill, councilmember. The motion’s maker and seconder were not identified on the record.

Council members and staff said an offer letter already exists and will be provided to Cox, and that the week-long delay before his start date is intended to allow appropriate transition and communication within the department. One councilmember thanked Interim Chief Polly for service during the interim period and expressed appreciation for all officers who participated in the selection process.

During the discussion the council described having both internal and external applicants and noted that there were two candidates on which to vote. Council members said the decision was difficult because several candidates were personally known to them; no details about candidate names beyond Derek Cox were provided in the public record.

No ordinance, salary amendment, or additional formal conditions were recorded in the minutes; council members directed staff to finalize the hiring documents and communications. The meeting adjourned after the appointment and related remarks.