Howe council votes to hire Gary Estep as fire chief, contingent on SAC evaluation

The Howe City Council voted May 30 to hire Gary Estep as Howe fire department chief, contingent on the results of a pending SAC evaluation. Councilmember Ed Whitfield moved the hiring motion in open session, saying, "I motion to hire Gary Estep as Howe fire department chief contingent upon the results of the pending SAC evaluation." The council approved the motion by voice vote with no members recorded as opposed.

The hiring occurred immediately after the council returned from a closed executive session that the chair said would address personnel, consultations with legal counsel, real property and economic development. The motion was limited by the contingency on the SAC evaluation; the council did not publicize evaluation details during the open meeting. The chair announced the motion passed and then adjourned the meeting shortly after the vote.