WILSON — Jonathan Lawrence, the part-time officer for the Wilson Police Department, was approved by the Wilson City Council Monday to be the town’s new police chief. The action came after a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

Lawrence, who succeeds the retired Bob Doepp, was recommended for the job by a selection committee named by the council.

Before he officially accepts the job, however, Lawrence said he wants to talk to his wife. He will then inform the council of his decision.

The council approved a salary for Lawrence of $15.15 per hour, with a 50-cent-per-hour raise after completing his probationary period. He will work 43 hours a week and receive a single medical insurance coverage plan with dental coverage and be enrolled in KPERS (the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System).

Lawrence, who lives on Fourth Road, will also be required to move within the City of Wilson within six months.

In other business:

• The council invited the public to attend its April 15 meeting to comment during a discussion on the distribution of the city’s transient guest tax. At present, the tax is .25 percent on motel rooms in town. However, the council is considering replacing the city’s existing ordinance on the tax with an updated version that doesn’t have a committee recommend how the tax is distributed and that includes the bed and breakfasts. The council is also considering raising the tax, which would bring more funds into the city’s coffers.

• Approval was given to a water leak adjustment policy. To be eligible for a one-time courtesy adjustment, all repairs must be complete, the leak has to have been hidden underground and the homeowner would have to provide proof of the repairs. If an adjustment is warranted, the amount of the bill will be determined based upon the average usage over six months before the leak occurred. The average usage will be subtracted from the full usage. The City of Wilson will absorb half of the remaining balance, but the city’s half may not exceed $200 unless otherwise waived by the council.

“I think it really helps someone who is in a financial hardship,” council member Darcy Hubka-Vopat said.

• An engineering agreement with Wilson and Company was approved by the council in relation to work needed on the city’s sewer lagoon. A draft letter to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was also approved expressing the city’s intentions for bringing the sewer lagoon system back into compliance with state regulations.

• No action was taken after two 10- minute executive sessions to discuss non-elected personnel with city attorney Theresa Staudinger.

• Action on the city’s employee handbook was tabled until the April 15 meeting.

• Marty Prester was approved as a full-time volunteer for the Wilson Fire Department after completing his probationary period.

The next meeting of the Wilson City Council will be at 7 p.m. Monday, April 15, at city hall.