MARION — The Marion City Council named Tim Barnett as Chief Designate of the Marion Fire Department at Monday night’s meeting.

According to Marion Mayor Mike Absher’s Chief of Staff Cody Moake, Barnett will shadow Fire Chief Jerry Odum until his last day on Dec. 30. That’s when Barnett will officially be sworn in as fire chief. Odum recently announced his retirement. Odum has been chief since August 2014.

Barnett has been a firefighter with the Marion Fire Department since 1999 and has held the rank of Captain since 2014. He was one of three internal candidates that interviewed for the position and through that process, earned the recommendation of the Mayor and Police & Fire Commissioner.