Stout's suspension is topic of special meeting
Monday night Florence Mayor John Lehman added to the meeting agenda a 30-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues.
Upon returning to open meeting, the council conducted no business relating to the executive session.
However, before the end of the evening Lehman requested council action on "items discussed in executive session."
On a motion by Tim Parmley the council unanimously approved continuing the unpaid suspension of Police Chief Merlin Stout and scheduling a special meeting June 22 for the specific purpose of deciding the future of Stout's employment with the city.
The meeting will be an open meeting at the Florence city building. A starting time was not included in the motion.
Stout's trial on sexual battery charges will be held June 22 in Marion County District Court.
Charges stem from a report of Stout inappropriately touching a woman at a local restaurant.
