Meridian City Council members on Tuesday were introduced to Mayor Jimmie Smith’s pick to lead the Meridian Fire Department as the group prepares to vote on the nomination at its next meeting.

Michael Ted Evans, a native of Kemper County, is a veteran firefighter with almost 30 years of experience. He is a graduate of the Mississippi Fire Academy and a member of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Most recently, Evans has served as the District 45 representative in the state House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2012. District 45 includes parts of Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Winston counties.

Evans elected not to seek another legislative term this year and instead challenged incumbent James Moore for the job of Kemper County’s sheriff. He was not successful.

Ward 3 Councilman Joe Norwood Jr. said previous discussions at events the two public officials have attended showed him Evans’ focus as a legislator was in helping the people of his district, not following a party line. That commitment to serving the public, he said, will also help Evans in the role of Meridian’s fire chief.

Although Evans currently lives in Preston, an unincorporated community in Kemper County, he said he will relocate to Meridian if his appointment is confirmed.

Ward 2 Councilman Dwayne Davis said only a year and a half remain in the council’s current term in office, after which the city could have a new mayor, council or both. Evans, he said, needs to weigh that uncertainty as well.

After almost three decades as a firefighter and another decade as a legislator, Evans said he has already paid his due into the state’s employee retirement fund. While he wants to continue serving his community as fire chief, taking the job is not due to the financial motivation.

Norwood said Evans’ appointment will be included on the agenda for the council’s Dec. 19 meeting.