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MAY 14, 2025 5 <br />evaluations to put that into this plan as well. The performance evaluation insertion is the <br />only other change that they’ve made to the rules that you were previously given. The <br />question of reference of performance evaluation. These would be firefighter evaluations <br />going up for the only promotable rank we have, which is the Captains. <br /> <br />Kenneth Marks asked if this would be for everybody that person has been assigned to. <br /> <br />Assistant Chief Roark explained that under the statute, evaluations are required every six <br />months over a three-year period. However, due to past inconsistencies in conducting <br />evaluations, the new rules will only consider evaluations starting from 2025 onward. Since <br />the department urgently needs Captains, if the new promotion process is approved and <br />implemented soon, only one evaluation set will be available for consideration initially. It <br />will take three years before the full set of six evaluations can be factored into the process. <br /> <br />Attorney Connell wanted to make it clear on the record that the proposed rules were <br />published on the city’s website, posted in three locations at the county City building, <br />posted at the fire department or available for review at the Fire Department, as well as with <br />the clerk's office. The notice of today's public hearing was also published in a newspaper <br />and a local Michiana Enterprise publication. She asked that anyone who wished to speak <br />during the public portion of the hearing please state their name and their roles with the <br />department. Seeing and hearing none, she opened it up for anyone else to have any public <br />input in person on online. Seeing and hearing none, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br />Dan Jones asked the Commissioners, since it was the blessing of both the City and the Fire <br />Department, he asked if they would like to approve the rules or wait until June. <br /> <br />Attorney Connell advised that it would either be approved or moved to the June agenda. It <br />doesn’t need a motion if it is not going to be approved. <br /> <br />Kenneth Marks stated they should table it until June. <br /> <br />John Pinter asked if delaying the approval would cause a hardship on the department. <br /> <br />Assistant Chief Roark stated yes, because they are in dire need of captains. If it gets <br />approved then that would allow them to start putting a timeline on the captains. He then <br />deferred to Union Vice President Russ Buysse to discuss the process. <br /> <br />Union Vice President Buysse stated the he would really encourage the passing of the rules, <br />because another thirty (30) days doesn't sound like much, but in their world it pushes them <br />back quite a bit. <br /> <br /> <br />F. APPROVE RULES OR MOVE AGENDA ITEM TO JUNE MEETING <br />Upon a motion by Kenneth Marks, seconded by John Pinter carried by roll call, the Board <br />approved the Rules. <br /> <br />G. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR <br />John Pinter thanked everyone for understanding his need to change the meeting date from <br />the regularly scheduled first (1) Wednesday of the month to the second (2) Wednesday of <br />the month due to him being out of town. He added that he would also need to change the <br />June meeting date from June 4th to June 11th. He noted that the meeting date would not be an <br />issue after June. <br /> <br />Attorney Connell advised that because there are only three (3) Commissioners, all three of <br />them have to be present to have quorum until they get two more Commissioners. <br /> <br />Dan Jones asked if there has been any progress made on getting two (2) more <br />Commissioners. <br /> <br />Attorney Taylor explained that one appointment is made by the mayor, and the other is an <br />elected position that allows for the appointment of someone. Political affiliation