Mount Vernon board hires economic development specialist, approves multiple job postings and police hires

The Mount Vernon Board of Aldermen on June 23 approved a series of personnel actions, hiring Meagan Girth as a full-time Economic Development Specialist at a starting salary of $55,000 annually pending standard pre-employment requirements.

City Administrator Robert Harrington told the board he recommended hiring Girth; Alderman Logan Phillips moved to approve the hire and Alderman Lowell Phillips seconded the motion, which the board passed. The meeting minutes record the action as approved without a recorded dissent.

The hiring package was one of several personnel items the board handled. The board authorized the city administrator to advertise and interview candidates for a Parks and Recreation Director and ratified earlier authorization to advertise for a Golf Course Superintendent. The board also approved filling vacant police positions: Chief David Hubert requested permission to hire Jailyn Foster as a police officer pending pre-employment checks, and the board approved that hire.

The meeting also recorded internal promotions: Police Officer Thomas Taylor was promoted to detective and underwent a badge-pinning ceremony with his spouse participating; Vernon Moyer was promoted to corporal and participated in a badge-pinning with his children present. Chief Hubert reported two officer resignations and the board authorized advertising for additional police vacancies.

Board members framed the personnel actions as part of routine staffing and service maintenance. The meeting minutes list motions, seconders and that each action "passed." Start dates for hires and the timing of candidate interviews were not specified in the public record.

Next steps: New hires remain contingent on completing pre-employment requirements; the city will proceed with recruitment for the Parks & Recreation director and golf course superintendent roles as authorized.