MONROE — As the year continues full speed ahead, the City of Monroe Police and Fire Commission continues to work diligently to hire a new fire chief by 2022.

The Commission met July 15 and discussed finalizations for the position announcement with GovHR representative Tim Sashko.

A timeline for recruitment had been previously discussed at the July 8 PFC meeting, with a goal to have resumes submitted by Aug. 27.

GovHR will present candidates to the PFC by the week of Sept. 19, with interviews beginning the week of Sept. 26.

Ideally, a new Fire Chief would start with the city by October 2021.

The PFC approved June 21 a Fire Chief Transition Agreement.

The transition agreement states that Smits’ resignation may be effective either at a date of his choosing no later than Dec. 31, 2021 or a date of the PFC’s choosing if it hires a new chief.

The commission will continue meeting every other Thursday as necessary.