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Newton Falls council directs manager to negotiate finance director offer and votes to reinstate police chief
Summary
Council voted Aug. 7 to have the interim city manager negotiate an employment offer to Jamie Beresini for finance director and separately approved returning Chief Jean Fixler to full-time police chief while directing the city to bring any owed compensation up to date.
The Newton Falls Village Council on Aug. 7 directed the interim city manager to negotiate an employment offer to Jamie Beresini for finance director and voted to return Chief Jean Fixler to full-time police chief.
Council moved unanimously to authorize the city manager to negotiate terms with Beresini and to present the resulting offer to council by ordinance. A council member who interviewed both finalists said Beresini brought ‘‘auditing experience’’ and enthusiasm to the process; the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call.
Separately, council added and approved a motion to reinstate Chief Jean Fixler to his full-time position immediately and to ensure ‘‘all contracted or court-ordered compensation owed to Chief Fixler is brought up to date in full compliance with his legal contracts,’’ with service to continue until his stated retirement on Nov. 30, 2024. Council members discussed that the sheriff’s department would continue most patrol duties while Fixler assesses what it would take to reestablish a more active local police department.
Council members and the law director said settlement and back-pay negotiations remain under discussion with the city attorney; one member noted the city’s attorney had reported progress toward resolving back-pay and related legal issues. Council emphasized that payments for any work performed before a final settlement would be deducted from any negotiated settlement to avoid ‘‘double dipping,’’ as one councilor described it.
The motions were procedural steps: the negotiation directive for the finance director and the reinstatement of the chief both direct staff to prepare formal ordinances or to carry out compensation adjustments. Council did not adopt a finalized employment contract or present a completed settlement document during the meeting. The next formal step for the finance hire is a future ordinance vote on the offer once the manager and candidate complete negotiations; the city law director and attorney were cited as continuing to work on settlement details related to the chief’s compensation.
Council adjourned after completing these and other agenda items.
