The City of International Falls council unanimously approved the mayoral appointment of Scott Worley as the city’s next chief of police, with the appointment set to take effect Jan. 5 and the oath of office scheduled for the regular Jan. 5 City Council meeting.

Mayor (presiding officer) presented a letter recommending Investigator Scott Worley for the position and cited Worley’s education and experience, including graduation from Falls High School, an AA from Rainy River Community College, further study at Hibbing Community College, and a bachelor of science in biology and criminal justice from Bemidji State University. The presentation noted Worley has worked as a conservation officer in Nebraska, as a sergeant with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, served as chief in the City of Blackduck, worked as a child protection social worker for Couchiching County Health and Human Services, and is currently an investigator with the International Falls Police Department.

"I bring to you for your concurrence my appointment of Mr. Scott Worley for chief of police of the city of International Falls," the presiding speaker said while reading the mayoral appointment letter. The mayor recommended that Worley’s starting salary be set at 80% of the current chief’s salary until an employment agreement is finalized, with the agreement to be completed within six weeks of the appointment.

Councillor Wagner moved to approve the appointment; Councillor Buller seconded the motion. After brief congratulatory remarks from council members, the presiding speaker called the question and stated, "I'll vote yes and this is approved unanimously to appoint Mr. Scott Worley as chief of police January 5 and we'll do the oath at the regular city council meeting." The record shows the council approved the appointment without recorded dissent.

The presiding speaker thanked Sherry Stenslin, the city’s human resources director, for her role in managing the internal application process. The council noted that Chief Kostyuk and Deputy Chief Lessard will retire effective Jan. 5. The special meeting concluded after the appointment was approved and there was no further business.

The next procedural step is the swearing-in at the Jan. 5 regular City Council meeting, at which time the employment agreement and final salary arrangements are expected to be addressed.