COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Officials have decided to explore the creation of a full-time position for fire chief of Columbus.

The City Council voted Monday night to have staffers review for comparison fire department organization in other Nebraska cities.

Mayor Mike Moser and others expressed concerns about the cost of a full-timer. The part-time chief, Dean Hefti, is paid nearly $20,700 — a figure expected to rise if it were to become a full-time job.

Hefti told the Columbus Telegram (http://bit.ly/1RxZRex) Tuesday that he doesn’t think “the constituents or the taxpayers in Columbus can afford what would happen if you went to a full-time chief.”

The city of about 22,500 residents has 15 paid firefighters and around 55 volunteers.