McMinnville officials could be welcoming a new fire chief by the end of the February. That’s the word from city administrator David Rutherford.
“We are, I guess you would say, in negotiations with one of the candidates,” Rutherford said during Tuesday night’s Safety Committee meeting. “We have selected one we would like to give the position.”
The job of fire chief opened in November with the resignation of Randy Walker, who was hired by the city in early 2012 after an extensive search and hiring process.
Included in the current contract negotiations will be the date when the new individual can begin work and the salary. Salary for the position is dependent on experience and qualifications, with a range set between $58,846 and $85,252.
Also, the individual must be examined by a city-appointed physician to determine if the applicant can perform all essential duties required of the position. Residency within the city is required within 90 days of employment.
“Can you tell us the name of the individual?” asked Alderman Jimmy Bonner, chairman of the Safety Committee.
Rutherford added, “No. I can’t tell you that at this point in the process. We are working through things and hope to have a decision by the end of the month.”
What can be known is the hiring process, which included both phone and in-person interviews, narrowed the field of applicants down to four. Their current states of residency are Connecticut, Florida, Georgia and Idaho.
None of the applications received were from local individuals.