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The Nicholasville City Commission unanimously appointed Craig Cox as the city’s interim fire chief Monday evening to serve until a full-time chief is hired.

Cox takes over for Mark Case, who retired from the department Feb. 1. Case served as chief for six years and 22 years in all.

Nicholasville’s human resources director, Kathy Rhineheimer, said a recommendation may be made to the commissioners at the next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 23.

“Right now, we are at the point we will begin calculating the scores” from the application process,” she said.

Case said previously he believed the department was in good shape and felt it was time for some “new blood.”

The commission also approved a mutual aid agreement with Jessamine County EMS. Cox said there were minimal changes from the previous agreement, which spells out what types of incidents each agency will respond to and either assist or take the primary call.

Cox said the firefighters are all trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and carry AEDs (automated external defibrilators), but do not carry Narcan, a drug frequently used to reverse drug overdoses.

In other action, the commissioners:

• Approved the Jessamine County Emergency Operations Plan.

• Appointed Bob Miller as an alternate to the Code Enforcement Board.

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone 0.103 acres at 103 S. First St. from B-1 central business to R-1D single family residential.

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone 0.35 acres at 700 S. Main St. from B-1 central business to R-1T townhouse residential.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance to change the name of Turkey Curve Loop to Day Boulevard.