The Falkville Council placed Police Chief Chris Free on administrative leave with full benefits after meeting in executive session during a regular meeting March 4.

Town Attorney Larry Madison described the session as one in which “the general reputation and character of an employee is the subject of discussion.”

According to Madison, Free is a person of interest in an investigation being conducted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Town officials are not accusing him of any wrongdoing, he pointed out, but they feel an administrative leave is an appropriate step to take for the town’s protection since the matter has become public knowledge.

During the meeting, the council also granted a one-step pay raise and a one-percent cost of living adjustment to town employees.

The salary adjustment was made a part of the town’s 2018-2019 general fund budget and will become effective April 1. The one-step raise is based on merit and subject to supervisory approval.

If fully implemented, it will cost the town $19,532.04.

In other business the council also:

• Approved a resolution in opposition to any action by the Alabama State Legislature that would restrict or remove municipal police or planning jurisdiction authority, with reference to proposed Senate Bill 23
• Declared as surplus property a wooden bookcase in the mayor’s office and agreed to donate it for church use
• Approved a resolution in support of legislation regarding employees’ retirement contributions
• Authorized to pay $1,750 as one-half the cost of tree cleanup and monument replacement and repairs due to wind damage at the town cemetery
• Approved a resolution in support of protecting local control over public streets and public assets and a call on Congress to reaffirm such local control by reversing FCC action related to wireless facilities by enacting H.R. 530
• Approved a contract with the Cemetery Board for mowing and maintenance for April 1, 2019-March 28, 2020, at a rate of $600 monthly.