INDIAN RIVER SHORES — The Indian River Shores Town Council will mark the retirement of Public Safety Chief Bill Schauman and several other public safety employees and will welcome a new leader to the department on Thursday.
During the special meeting, which begins at 3 p.m. at the Indian River Shores Town Hall, Indian River County Judge David Morgan will administer an oath of office to incoming Public Safety Director Captain Robert Stabe.
Following this, retiring Public Safety Director Schauman, Captain Nick Schauman, Sergeant Louis Puchala, Officer Mark Kubilus, Officer Chuck Justice, and public works employee Eddie Morris will be honored for their long-time service to the town. All of the employees had met the eligibility criteria for retiring with pension benefits.
The employees accepted an incentive package in April providing for four months’ pay in exchange for their retirement from employment with the town.
Town Manager Richard Jefferson has said that, other than Stabe moving into the director job, the public safety positions will not be filled with full-time employees, but that the town will expand upon its use of per diem or contract employees at the rate of $18 per hour with no benefits. The move is expected to save the town substantial money in the long term.