By John Howell
Batesville Fire Chief Tim Taylor will transition from part-time to full time chief following his selection Friday to fill the full-time slot from among 25 applicants.

Batesville aldermen in August voted to make the fire chief’s job full-time. Taylor was elected chief of Batesville’s then-all volunteer department in 1989. He oversaw the transition from a department of paid-on-call volunteers to the present staffing which includes a mix of 19 full-time career firefighters and 18 paid-on-call volunteers.

Aldermen voted unanimously for Taylor’s selection during a short meeting Friday morning, assistant City Attorney Colmon Mitchell said. Their discussion was held during executive session which excludes the public. Friday’s meeting followed two meetings Wednesday when two finalists from among the applicants were interviewed at length, also in executive session.

The full-time position will become effective November 1, Mitchell said.