Commissioners give chief voice on appointment

Fire District 13 commissioners Chuck Hedlund and Arne Fohn will accept applications from people who would like to be appointed to fill a board vacancy until June 10.

Then they will meet on Monday, June 16 to interview the candidates and, perhaps, make a selection for someone to fill the position vacated by Doug Avery in April.

Last week Hedlund and Fohn agreed to let Chief Roy Horn and two of his designees help them choose the person who will essentially be one of his bosses.

Although only the commissioners have a vote on the issue, Horn suggested that a commissioner from another fire district and an assistant chief sit in on the process, and the commissioners agreed.

Avery’s term was set to expire at the end of 2017. The person who fills his position is considered temporary and must stand for re-election in November 2015 — the next board election — if they want to keep the job. There will be two positions open, then, as Hedlund’s term expires in 2015, too.

Even if the appointed commis-sioner is re-elected to fill the remainder of the term, the position will open again in 2017, on the regular schedule for the seat Avery vacated. Fohn, who was elected in November 2013, is scheduled to serve until the end of 2019.

When elected under normal circumstances, commissioners serve six-year terms. They are paid $114 per meeting up to a maximum of $10,800 per year. They are paid to attend their regular monthly meeting as well as any special meetings and official gatherings of other entities.

People who apply for a position on the board should contact Fire District 13. The headquarters is located at 17433 Snee Oosh Road and the phone is 466-1224. Applicants will be expected to provide a resume and pick up a copy of the district’s policies and procedures.