De Soto Fire Chief James Maupin has resigned.
He turned in a letter of resignation to City Manager Todd Melkus on March 21, saying he was quitting that day.
Maupin would not comment on his resignation, and his letter gave no reason for his resignation, although he thanked the city for his 36 years with the department, including the past 15 years as a full-time firefighter.
Melkus said Capt. Mike Zebas has been named the interim chief and the other captain in the department, James Coleman. also has taken on some extra duties to help fill in.
Melkus said Tuesday that neither Zebas nor Coleman had received a pay raise.
“The whole staff is picking up slack so no one is overwhelmed,” Melkus added.
He said the department currently has six full-time firefighters.
Melkus said Maupin began his career with De Soto Fire as a volunteer in 1987 and became a full-time firefighter in December 2008.
He had been the fire chief since July 14, 2018, and he was being paid a $58,183 annual salary when he quit, Melkus said.
“It has been a pleasure working with Chief Maupin,” Melkus said. “Although I have only worked with him for a little over four years, it was clear from the beginning that he was a very dedicated fireman and has accomplished a lot while being with the department. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Melkus said city leaders have not yet determined what process they will use to hire a new fire chief.
“We haven’t crossed that bridge yet. We are just getting the daily functions of the department lined out, and at that point, we will begin discussing that,” he said.
The De Soto Fire Department was founded in 1880 and covers the area within the city limits. It is separate from the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District, which covers a 174-square-mile area in south and southwestern Jefferson County.