The city of Mattoon has released its interim fire chief, as they come closer to hiring a new full time chief.
Mattoon City Administrator Kyle Gill said Interim Chief Kevin Schott has been released from his duties because the search for a new chief has progressed faster than expected.
He said Schott assisted with estimating a budget for the department during his time as interim chief.
Gill said five to six candidates have applied for the job since the position became open.
The city said a permanent fire chief is expected to be announced a few weeks after the application closing date of March 1st.
Plus, in Mattoon, the city has established an official tax on legal cannabis sales.
Gill said Mattoon set a 3% tax on recreational adult use cannabis, as the city is developing ordinances to regulate local cannabis sales with the moratorium on sales ending May 31st.
Those plans will be presented to the Mattoon Planning Commission for consideration on March 10th.
After that, the commission's recommendation will go to the city council for final approval.