Cheyenne County meeting records motion to appoint Chris LaBarge after closed interviews

At a special Cheyenne County fire meeting, officials moved to appoint Chris LaBarge after conducting closed executive-session interviews for a new fire chief.

The meeting opened with the Chair saying the purpose was to interview candidates for a new chief and asking candidates to step forward. Members repeatedly voted to enter executive session for discussions of "non-elected personnel," debating brief time limits of five, 10 or 15 minutes before each closed session began.

After concluding executive-session interviews, a committee member (S2) made a motion that referenced Chris LaBarge; the Chair (S1) seconded and called for a voice vote. The Chair later described the choice as "a really tough decision," and members thanked the candidates for applying. The transcript records both that an initial executive session yielded "no decisions" and later that "decisions were made in executive session." The meeting did not record an on-the-record roll-call tally or a named vote in the public transcript.

Members also discussed internal department organization, including whether assistant chiefs should be assigned by the newly chosen chief or determined by city votes. One participant suggested an officers group composed of top officers from cities and the county to improve coordination; speakers said the new chief could help organize departments.

A motion to adjourn was then made and seconded; members approved the adjournment by voice and scheduled the next meeting for Friday.

Quotes attributed in the transcript include the Chair saying the meeting "was a really tough decision, guys," and a committee member noting the interview process would involve executive sessions. The transcript identifies the name "Chris LaBarge" in remarks made while a motion was being offered; the record does not provide a formal on-the-record appointment roll call or indicate whether additional procedural steps are required under local law.

The meeting included multiple short executive sessions for personnel interviews and closed deliberations; the public record here contains the procedural motions and voice votes but not a detailed roll-call tally or the text of any personnel deliberations that took place behind closed doors.