Council creates probationary deputy marshal job, authorizes marshal to appoint deputies and adopts Marshall handbook

Kingsford Heights' Town Council voted unanimously June 22 to amend the town's 2026 salary ordinance to add a probationary deputy marshal position and to authorize the town marshal to appoint deputy marshals under Indiana law. The change fixes the department’s staffing as one full-time deputy marshal (to be characterized as third/second/first class as appropriate) and a not-to-exceed six part-time deputies, and sets an hourly probationary range for the new position.

Amber read the ordinance language into the record and legal counsel cited Indiana Code 36-5-7-6(a) as the statutory authority the council was relying on to fix the number of deputies and to delegate appointment authority to the marshal. The ordinance text included a probationary pay range (read aloud as approximately $24.30 to $28.84 per hour) and stated that all other provisions of the 2026 salary ordinance remain in effect where not in conflict.

Council members discussed operational details: whether to add all classifications now or roll some into the December salary ordinance; length of probation tied to Indiana Law Enforcement Academy attendance; and limits on part-time hours and training requirements such as fingerprinting for equipment access. The council accepted amendments clarifying that the town marshal may appoint deputies and that staffing limits would include one full-time deputy and up to six part-time deputies. The council moved, seconded and adopted ordinance 2026-00007 on its third and final reading; the transcript records the vote as unanimous.

After the ordinance was adopted, the council considered the Kingsford Heights Marshall Office employee handbook (draft #3). A council member moved to adopt the handbook and amend the motion to set the effective date at the start of the next pay period; council members agreed the handbook would take effect at the beginning of the next pay period (the council identified Thursday, June 25). The clerk was directed to produce a final copy without 'DRAFT' on each page and to add a signature page for the mayor/president, vice president and council members and for employees to acknowledge receipt.

The marshal then recommended hiring Brian Sullivan as the next deputy marshal. Council members noted the recent ordinance now authorizes appointments by the marshal; the transcript records the recommendation but does not show a separate roll-call hiring vote in this meeting. Council discussion and legal explanations made clear the town has set staff-authority and pay parameters but that hiring and academy timing will depend on training availability and administrative steps.

What happens next: The ordinance is adopted and the handbook approved; hiring will proceed under the new authority and with required training and administrative steps. The council said it will finalize personnel paperwork and coordinate final signatures as requested.