Mapleton council delays vote on changing residency rule for police/fire leadership until Jan. 7

The Mapleton City Council voted Dec. 18 to continue consideration of an ordinance that would amend Mapleton City Code (chapter 2.26) to clarify whether the police chief or fire chief must live in Mapleton or within a specified distance from the city.

City staff member Corey said the two related public‑hearing items were linked to the pending police‑chief appointment and recommended continuing both items to the Jan. 7 meeting so the council can set parameters (such as mileage) after knowing the selected candidate. "My recommendation is to continue it, and then we would just bring it the same night as we bring the appointment," Corey said.

Council members discussed whether a change from 5 to 15 miles would bar a candidate from consideration if the new rule were adopted before an appointment. Several council members said they preferred to delay action so the ordinance could be set with the appointment in view. Councilmember Jones moved to continue the items and Councilmember Egbert seconded; the motion passed with recorded yes votes and carried to move both items (identified in the agenda as items 8 and 9) to the Jan. 7 meeting.

Clarifying detail: the record shows the council debated changing a distance threshold (example cited in discussion: from 5 to 15 miles), but the council did not adopt a new mileage requirement at the Dec. 18 meeting. City staff also noted Chief Jackson is preparing to retire and that the two items are related to the pending hire. No candidate names were discussed at the Dec. 18 session.

Next steps: both ordinance items will be scheduled for a public hearing on Jan. 7, 2026, when the council will have the related appointment on the agenda and can decide on specific residency or mileage language.