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Selma council moves to make mayor and council appointing authority for police, fire chiefs; first reading waived 4-1
Summary
Council introduced ordinances to amend the Selma Municipal Code to make the City Council the appointing and adverse-action authority for the police and fire chiefs, and waived first reading by a 4-1 vote; Council member Trujillo voted no.
The Selma City Council voted July 1 to introduce ordinances changing the city's code so the council is the appointing authority for the police chief and the fire chief and must approve any adverse employment action for those positions.
City Attorney staff explained the amendments simply place the final appointment and termination authority with the city council while day-to-day supervision remains with the city manager. The council voted to waive the first reading and introduce both ordinances; the vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Council member Trujillo).
City officials said the change formalizes a practice previously handled informally and increases transparency for two of the city's most visible public-safety positions. The city attorney noted the chief of police's existing contract includes language that will be harmonized with the ordinance and that staff will work with the chief of police to adjust his contract so it aligns with the new code before a subsequent public hearing and final action.
