Elkhart City commissioners approve disciplinary notices for two firefighters
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Summary
At a council-chamber meeting, Elkhart City commissioners approved a written warning for Captain Jason Cole and a short suspension for a firefighter named Stephen; the assistant chief presented both cases and the body voted to adopt the actions. Timing and length of the suspension were clarified during the meeting.
Elkhart City commissioners approved two fire-department disciplinary actions at a meeting held in the council chambers, the commissioners said.
Assistant Chief Christy Summer told the commission she brought two personnel matters forward. She said Captain Jason Cole received a written warning. "We have 2 disciplinary notices for you today," Summer said, and commissioners moved to approve the first notice.
The second case involved a firefighter identified in the transcript as Stephen. Summer initially described the suspension as "40 day" and said it would run from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8; other speakers and subsequent clarification during the meeting corrected the record to a 40-hour suspension (five days). Summer and the commissioners confirmed the shorter suspension length at the meeting.
An attending commissioner moved to approve the disciplinary notice for Captain Jason Cole; another commissioner seconded the motion and the body approved it by voice vote. Later, a motion to approve the disciplinary action for firefighter Stephen was made and seconded; the commission again voted in favor. The transcript records voice approvals but does not include a roll-call tally of votes by commissioner name.
No union representative appeared during the meeting and there were no members of the public who spoke during the public-participation portion, the commissioners noted. After routine approvals of the amended agenda and minutes from Dec. 8, and completion of the personnel items, the commission adjourned.
The meeting record does not specify additional disciplinary documentation or whether further review or appeal steps were scheduled. The suspension for Stephen was listed with start and end dates of Jan. 4–Jan. 8 in the announcement but was clarified in the meeting as a 40-hour (five-day) suspension.