The Board of Commissioners for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue are still considering their options for replacing retiring Fire Chief Ken Burdette.

The commissioners will meet Monday to discuss the search for a new chief. The commission study session is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue administrative building on Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale.

Burdette’s last day on the job is May 31. While the board has no set deadline for selecting a replacement, it has until then to get someone ready to take over, said Theresa MacLennan, spokeswoman for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

“He’s leaving whether we have a chief in place or not.”

She said the commissioners are getting bids from recruiting companies and are still looking at other possible search agencies to help find Burdette’s replacement.

The board may also consider current employees to find a new chief.

“We have very qualified people internally that can keep us afloat,” MacLennan said.

MacLennan said the search had been slowed down because of talks over a future merger between the Central Kitsap and Bremerton departments that would have put Bremerton Fire Chief Al Duke in charge of the combined department. The Bremerton City Council voted Feb. 17 to consider a merger with South Kitsap instead.

“Now that we know, we’re moving forward,” MacLennan said.

Burdette has been Central Kitsap’s fire chief for nine years.