At last night's Sunset Valley City Council meeting, council members voted to authorize the hiring of a recruiting firm to aid in the appointment of the next Sunset Valley police chief. Mayor Rose Cardona said delegating the task to a recruiter will help alleviate the burden historically placed on unpaid elected city officials. Former Chief Sean M. Ford, who retired April 21, was selected by the city administrator through a screening of potential applicants, Cardona said, before his interview and eventual appointment by the council. Cardona, who has a human resources background, said the use of a hiring consultant can also allow potential applicants to confer with a recruiter prior to entering the public application process. "Having that additional line of communication is helpful," she said. According to council documents, several recruitment firms specializing in police chief searches have been contacted. The estimated cost based on conversations with those firms is anticipated to be $15,000-$20,000, and salary savings from the vacant police chief position should cover the cost without increasing the city's budget, the document states. The council also approved the appointment of Lt. Rich Andreucci to serve as interim police chief. At the next council meeting, scheduled for May 16, City Administrator Clay Collins is expected to present a potential recruiter contract. If all goes as planned, interviews for the next police chief will be held in August followed by a selection by City Council in September.