HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC November 10, 2025 Special Meeting FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE,INDIANA
Special Meeting
City Council Chambers
November 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER: The special meeting for November 10, 2025, Fire Merit Commission was called to order by
Commissioner McCormick at 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted and those present were Commissioners Troy McCormick, Donovan Sims,
Sam Smith, and Missy Gibson-Scully. Commissioner Thomas Spalding was absent.
COMMISSION STAFF:
Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, President Union Brad Tetley, Fire Chief Shawn Grant, Deputy Fire
Chief Jason Sharp and Stenographer Cindy Seifert
GUESTS:
Court Stenographer Lori Fleeman, Administration Council Larry Wilder, Finch Council Attorney Peter Jannace,
Rolandan Finch, Anne Langley, Justin Ames, Rex Caldwell, Jeremy Campbell, Rusty Hall, Robbie Jackson, David
Kaskie,Chad Ogden, Kyle Patterson, Marcus Renn, Rick VanGilder and Cameron Wolfe
MINUTES: NONE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Sims made the motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by
Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0.
CLAIMS: NONE
BUSINESS:
HEARING ON PREFERRED CHARGE 2025-D-001
Commissioner McCormick reconvened the hearing from November 6, 2025. Court Stenographer will have the
official transcript.
Council Jannace stated that Firefighter Finch is admitting to charges of being AWOL as presented in the preferred
charges. He called Finch to the witness stand. Court Stenographer swore in FireFighter Finch. During Finch's
testimony he explained that he has been in the department for 6 years, he is also a youth football coach and
mentor. He has had no negative performance reviews while in the department. In relation to the dates of being
AWOL, Finch explained that he had been affected by the deaths of a cousin in a motorcycle accident, another
cousins murder, the death of one of his athletes in the Harvest Homecoming shootings, another death of one of
his athletes in a drowning. He added that he had undergone counseling and had been released from counseling
before the last loss occurred. He added that the department firefighters have been a support system. Council
Wilder asked if Finch would like to keep his job, Finch stated he would. Council Wilder asked Finch if he would
consider continuing counseling, Finch stated he would.
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Commissioner McCormick stated that as a football coach,young men are looking up to you. It appears that AWOL
events have progressed from late to no show.
Commissioner Sims stated that trust as a firefighter is very important. Do you think you can change, as you have
a history of multiple AWOL events. Finch stated he thinks he can.
Commissioner Scully stated she sympathizes with the loss Finch has faced. She asked about counseling suggested
by department. It appears after the October 20, 2024, event, Ames addressed and offered assistance.
Attorney Stewart suggested that the Commissioners take the testimony under advisement and reconvene
November 24,2025,at 6:00pm,with an Executive Session at 5:30pm. Commissioner McCormick made the motion
to approve schedule a special meeting on November 24, 2025, at 6:00pm, seconded by Commissioner Smith,
passes on a vote of 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Sims made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded
by Commissioner Scully, passes on a vote of 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
APPROVED Y:
c
Troy McCormick, President
Respectfully Submitted by:
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Cind Seifert, S eno , her
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