Council appoints Taylor as chief

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/19/18

SILVERHILL, Alabama — Applause erupted at the Silverhill Town Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 10 after the council voted to appoint Michael Taylor as the town’s new police chief.

The council …

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Council appoints Taylor as chief

Posted

SILVERHILL, Alabama — Applause erupted at the Silverhill Town Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 10 after the council voted to appoint Michael Taylor as the town’s new police chief.

The council first voted to amend the town’s personnel police to allow the chief of police position to be part-time, then voted unanimously to appoint Taylor into the position as chief. Council member Wayne Gruenloh was not present at the meeting.

The council delayed action at its Aug. 20 meeting to make sure the position could be filled in a part-time capacity. Taylor has served as the town’s acting chief since the resignation of Kevin Brock in January.

After asking attorney Josh Myrick if the town could hire a part time officer rather than hire a chief at its Feb. 5 meeting, the council voted to advertise for the position at its Feb. 19 meeting after it was determined that the town must have a police chief.

An additional part-time officer has also been hired following a plea by Taylor and other members of the police department at the March 5 meeting.

Taylor also addressed council members at the April 2 meeting regarding the police department’s Standard Operating Procedure. After meeting with town prosecutor Mike Dasinger, the council voted to approve an updated SOP in June.

Questions arose at the Aug. 20 meeting as to whether or not the town could hire a police chief on a part-time basis.

Myrick told council members that the town’s ordinance did require the town to have a chief, but was unsure if the ordinance required the chief to serve fulltime. Council members decided to delay voting on the matter until the issue is resolved.

“If the ordinance requires you to hire a chief on a fulltime basis, then you would need to change the ordinance in order to hire a chief on a part-time basis,” Myrick said.

In response to questions at the Aug. 20 meeting, Taylor said he was also serving as a part-time reserve officer in Mobile County, but that he did not believe it would interfere with his duties as chief.

In other business at the Sept. 10 meeting, the council:

•Reviewed quotes, but took no action on the town’s email from Datatrust and BIS.

•Superintendent of Utilities Scottie Smith addressed council members about spraying for mosquitos.

•Tabled action on retirees’ bonuses from Retirement Systems of Alabama.

•Set a budget meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24 for the 2018-19 fiscal year, which is set to begin Oct. 1.