City officials: No immediate police chief search

City officials said there will be no immediate search for a Fort Scott Police Department chief following the resignation last month Ron Puterbaugh, who formerly held the job.

City Manager Dave Martin told the Fort Scott City Commission during their meeting Tuesday that Puterbaugh, who had been with the department since 2009, did resign and there was some recent restructuring done in the department. Puterbaugh made just over $66,000 a year.

Martin is not worried about the future of the department as it is in the hands of trained, capable staff.

"Things are running OK," he said.

Following the restructuring, Martin said, dispatch will now report to Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou, who will also continue with his own duties. FSPD Lts. Travis Shelton and Shaun West will continue to monitor their respective areas; West is in charge of detectives and investigations, Shelton supervises the patrolmen.

"They will continue their normal duties," Martin said.

Martin declined comment on specifics related to Puterbaugh's resignation, but did say he wished the former chief "the best of luck."

"We have a really good force," Martin said. "We have some good staff down there already."

Martin said he was recently involved in a meeting with all of the police officers, and he was able to get feedback on certain issues. He said at some point in the future there will be "some organized structure," but he is still in the process of evaluating the department and looking at "things to do better."

There is currently no interim police chief and there likely won't be an active search for a new police chief until "we get a better handle on what we need structure-wise," Martin said.

Martin said he is in charge of all city personnel and Puterbaugh's resignation did not have to go before the city commission for approval.

One point that Martin said he wants to emphasize is that all city staff should remember that they are public servants.

"Every aspect of city government needs to be public service and viewed by citizens as they treat citizens with respect," he said. "I feel like we're making an impact on drugs, vandalism and other crimes. I feel good about where we're at. We work for the citizens."

Martin confirmed July 13 that Puterbaugh was no longer the police chief as of that date. He said at the time that he could not provide much information on the matter as it was an "employee issue and personnel matter." Martin added that he planned to research and evaluate the entire department before naming a replacement and that some positions could be "realigned."

Puterbaugh, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, was hired in December 2008 to fill the police chief position vacated by former Public Safety Director Jeff Davis in October of that year. Puterbaugh retired in January 2009 as captain of the Ottawa Police Department, where he had worked for 23 years. He began his job as chief of police in Fort Scott in March 2009.

In other business Tuesday, the commission:

* Following a public hearing, approved adoption of the 2013 budget.

* Approved the consent agenda, which included approval of appropriation ordinances totaling $1.8 million; approval of reappointment of Bob Marshall to the Airport Advisory Board for a three-year term; financials for the month of June; a request for a $22,762 payment from S&A Construction of Wichita for rehabilitation of a house at 23 N. Margrave; a request to pay Utility Service Co., Inc., $65,940 for the water tower project; and a request for three payments totaling about $32,000 to Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig for professional services associated with the concept refinement for the Riverfront Park, services associated with the design and widening of U.S. Highway 69 from 19th Street to 23rd Street, and the construction of a rear access road from Huntington Boulevard to 19th Street, and services associated with the design of improvements at the intersections of U.S. 69 with South National and 18th Street and with 23rd Street.

* Adopted the 2012 Standard Traffic Ordinance.

* Approved special event insurance for Airport Day.

* Approved a public hearing for an environmental assessment for the Fort Scott Municipal Airport. The hearing is set for 6:15 p.m. Sept. 18.

* Approved an ordinance authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds, and adopted a resolution authorizing the sale and delivery of the bonds. About $1.8 million in bonds will pay for water tower and sewer improvements and roadway improvements.

* Approved a $12,900 bid from Aikins Fence Building in Mound City for the replacement of fencing around the tennis courts at Woodland Hills Golf Course. The existing fence was damaged by spring winds beyond the point of repair. USD 234 will split the cost of the fence with the city.

* Assistant City Manager Susan Brown informed commissioners that plans are in the works to possibly name the old gymnasium at Buck Run Community Center in memory of Corey Larson, a former custodian at the community center who was killed last month in a personal watercraft accident on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas.