Mifflin Township trustees will vote Aug. 18 to formally change Brooke Darnell's title from Acting Police Chief to Interim Police Chief, the latest step in a leadership transition that began with Police Chief David Briggs' resignation last month.

Resolution 134-26, listed on the township's meeting agenda, would amend the original appointment resolution and make the title change effective Aug. 1. Darnell was appointed Acting Police Chief at $43.50 per hour at the July 21 meeting, the same session where trustees accepted Briggs' resignation effective July 31.

Briggs was simultaneously rehired as a part-time police officer at $25 per hour, effective Aug. 2. Meeting minutes from July 21 show trustees discussed appointing "an internal acting chief through the November election."

The Aug. 18 agenda also includes an executive session under ORC §121.22(G)(1) to consider the employment of a public employee. The distinction between "Acting" and "Interim" under township policy is not explained in public documents.

EMS equipment purchase

Trustees will also consider Resolution 137-26, a $31,387.50 purchase of a Stryker Power Cot from Stryker Medical for the Division of Fire/EMS.

Gahanna Civic Center ribbon cutting set for Aug. 25

The agenda reminds residents that the Gahanna Civic Center Official Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 825 Tech Center Drive. The building, which CityScene Columbus described as a $59 million adaptive-reuse project, opened to the public Aug. 13 consolidating City Hall, the Gahanna Division of Police and the Senior Center under one roof.

Police services moved from 460 Rocky Fork Blvd. to the new facility Aug. 17 at 6 a.m., according to a city newsflash. The project was delayed from its original November 2025 completion date after the general contractor terminated an electrical subcontractor; Elford Construction accepted sole responsibility for the added costs.

Mayor Laurie Jadwin said in a November 2025 CityScene feature that the consolidation aims to improve resident services while using city resources more efficiently. The new Senior Center offers 116% more programmable space than the previous facility.

That's not all on the calendar. The Senior Center's farewell celebration at 480 Rocky Fork Blvd. is set for Friday, Aug. 21, from noon to 2 p.m., with open houses at the new building running Aug. 26 through Aug. 28.

The trustees, led by Chair Kevin J. Cavener, meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the OPS Center, 400 W. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, second floor, EOC Conference Room B. The next regular meeting is Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.