Council discussed a proposed ordinance and personnel‑policy language intended to standardize how the town hires department heads, including police and fire chiefs.

Council member Lehi Pierce opened the item by saying the goal was to “establish and codify a uniform process for hiring department heads,” then walked the council through a packet that outlined a step‑by‑step procedure: a minimum 30‑day posting, resume screening by an appointed hiring committee, short‑list interviews, professional reference checks, background investigations, a final council interview of the top candidates and a probationary period for the selected hire.

Councilors debated several procedural details. Points of emphasis included keeping an odd number of panel members (three to five), the committee including at least one external professional with subject‑matter expertise for police and fire hires, whether town employees may serve on the committee, and whether preliminary interviews could use remote/video formats while the final council interview should be in person. Fire Chief Eric Burnside recommended language that would make the process applicable to both police and fire chief hires and suggested an 180‑day probationary period for those positions; staff suggested a 90‑day probation for other department heads.

Councilors agreed the broad approach should be codified in the town code (a short “skeleton” in ordinance form) and the detailed steps published in the employee handbook/policy manual so future councils and staff could find and follow the process. The mayor asked staff and the city attorney to prepare ordinance amendments and a policy manual draft for review; staff agreed to begin work and present a draft for the January meeting. Several council members said they wanted the hiring outline available immediately so the town could proceed with recruiting a permanent fire chief while the formal documents are completed.

No final ordinance vote took place; the council provided direction to the city attorney and staff to prepare the ordinance amendment and related personnel‑policy language for council consideration at a later meeting.