Linn County commissioners on Nov. 24 approved hiring four probationary firefighters, motions commissioners said will help boost staffing across county stations.

County emergency management official Randy Hagewald requested permission to hire Michael Newton to "station 920" as a probationary firefighter pending physical and drug testing; the commission approved the motion after a second and a voice vote. Commissioners later approved similar motions to hire Zach Wills to Station 920, Evan McDonald to Station 910 (Mound City) and Nick Mitchell to Station 910. The transcript records that Mitchell is a county employee and the commission noted no physical or drug screens were required for that hire.

Commissioners who moved and seconded the motions recorded unanimous voice approval each time. During the discussion, Hagewald said the hires would bring staffing "up to 11 out of 15 spots," reflecting remaining vacancies.

All hires were described in meeting motions as probationary appointments and several were explicitly conditioned on prescreening such as physical and drug tests. The transcript shows no additional conditions or amendments to those motions.

The meeting adjourned after routine business; no further action on the hires was recorded at the meeting.