Trustees vote 3–2 to move deputy closer to full‑time status to avoid large insurance hit

Marshall Goings, the town marshal, told the Board of Trustees that deputy Will Starks has worked part time for years and is “only about 50 hours away” from being classified full time under the town’s 32‑hour threshold. Goings said losing Starks’ subsidized insurance would likely force a $6,000–$8,000 jump in the deputy’s annual premiums and that the town currently pays roughly $37,000 a year for his position. “He’s taken home about $30,000 a year,” Goings said, and called the potential premium increase “a very big issue.”

Goings laid out three options for trustees: increase Starks’ hours to reach the 32‑hour full‑time threshold (which he estimated would raise town costs to about $55,000 annually), keep Starks part time but provide town insurance (raising total cost to about $49,000), or not replace him if he leaves (saving roughly $37,000). He warned that recruiting for small‑town law enforcement is difficult and that losing Starks would impose operational strain on the marshal’s office.

Trustees discussed budget constraints and timing. Trustee John Bell moved to pursue option 1 — elevating Starks’ hours so he becomes full time at the 32‑hour threshold; Mayor Todd Dixon seconded. Trustee Sean Ives and Bell voted yes; Trustee Don Walker and Trustee Sundee King voted no; the motion carried 3–2. Trustee Walker asked for more time to study the revised FY25 budget before committing funds, and board members noted the item will be revisited and implemented consistent with budget availability.

The board did not finalize budget adjustments immediately; managers and trustees said they would bring revised budget figures and options back at the next regular meeting before effecting personnel or payroll changes. The motion included direction to craft a path that balances retention of the deputy with fiscal prudence.