8.c3 Staff Report Ben Horner
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September, 15 2020
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: New Hire
Background:
As we have talked about a few times, we are currently very under staffed. Recently, we were
contacted by Ben Horner, a resident that recently moved into the city. He has filled out an
application and is already trained as a paramedic and had some firefighter training in the past.
Ben’s work schedule would allow for a mix of day and night availability, which is one of the
main areas we are lacking. We would like to have him join the department along with the 4 other
recent new recruits that joined the training class for this fall. Do to these unusual circumstance, I
am not following our standard procedure for hiring and recruitment.
Issue:
Approve conditional hiring of Ben Horner contingent on passing a physical test and all other
hiring requirements defined in City and Department policy.
Proposal Details:
Approve the hire of Ben Horner, Do interviews, complete physicals. All while attending
firefighter class that has just started.
Fiscal Impact:
We would save $1500 since he already has medical certification. His hourly wage of $10.33 per
hour, which has already been accounted for in current budget.
Options:
(1) Direct staff to proceed with hiring Ben Horner as outlined.
(2) Wait to hire until our normal June date.
(3) Do not hire.
Recommendation:
Option (1).