Kyle fire chief search underway

The position came open when Glenn Whitaker, chief of the Kyle Volunteer Fire Department from 1999 to 2013, tendered his resignation Feb. 11.

Whitaker cited increasing control of the ESD board, which took over full control of the department in October, and verbal attacks against his wife, who worked as the departments' bookkeeper, as the main causes for his resignation.

Since Whitaker's resignation, an investigation into the department's activities has resulted in criminal charges against former training division chief Craig Kolls. Kolls is being charged with abuse of official capacity and forgery, according to records from the Hays County Sheriff's Office. Smith said the investigation is ongoing.

"From what I understand, there will probably be more charges filed," Smith said.

Buda Fire Department Chief Clay Huckaby took over as interim fire chief for the Kyle Volunteer Fire Department in February. Huckaby said attendance at the department's weekly training meetings has more than tripled since he took over.

According to the department's records, as of April 17, the department had responded to 653 calls for service. At the same period last year, the department had responded to 654 calls.

"We're doing something right," Huckaby said. "It looks like we're on track to respond to the same number of calls as last year."