Tennessee’s Hamilton County Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously acted to continue the jurisdiction’s relationship with County Attorney Rheubin Taylor.
In so doing, the legislative body countermanded Mayor Weston Wamp’s (R) decision against reappointing Taylor to the job. Following the commissioners’ meeting, Wamp held a press conference to address the uncertain status of the county lawyer. He expressed displeasure with the commissioners’ actions, which took place after they sought the advice of outside legal counsel to determine how to keep Taylor on staff.
In the course of the meeting, the commissioners passed a measure to establish a civil service system within county government and approved another resolution impeding the dismissal of any county employees until the new system takes effect. They finally passed a third measure extending Taylor’s 2021 contract.
Commissioners Chairman Chip Baker (R-Signal Mountain) said at the meeting that he felt he and his colleagues needed to pass the resolutions to underscore what they consider their co-equal role with the mayor in governing Hamilton County.
“I have always appreciated the partnership we have had with the mayor,” he said. “Partnership is the key word.”
Wamp countered during his press conference that he does not recognize the legislators’ authority to interfere with his hiring or firing decisions and will seek legal recourse to appoint a replacement for Taylor.
“What happened this morning at the commission was dizzying,” he said. “We’re pretty confident that much of the action they took is not within what state law allows. So they can pass a resolution; that doesn’t mean that state law permits whatever action they’re taking, and it seems to me they’ve veered well outside of what their statutory authority is, which is extremely limited.”
The mayor noted that three other lawyers work for the Hamilton County Legal Department and that as long as Taylor remains in that office in a supervisory role, the office is “conflicted.” He added that he has received legal opinions stating that a legislative body in Tennessee may not act to extend the contract of a staffer beyond the term for which the governmental executive appoints that employee.
“The county mayor appoints the county attorney who then represents all of county government,” Wamp said. “We’re operating within what state law says we can do.”
The major characterized the commission as being “combative” and frustrating his endeavor to “disrupt the status quo and the good-old-boys system.” Wamp has characterized Taylor, who has served in his current role for nearly three decades and earlier served as a county commissioner, as “entrenched” and too powerful in his role.
Wamp said he is resigned to the probability that Taylor will continue to come to work at Hamilton County headquarters.
“If Rheubin shows up in the building, it’s fine,” the mayor said. “He’s not going to access a county computer.”
Commissioners have retained lawyer John Konvalinka for $10,000 to represent their side in this matter in any future legal proceedings.
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Bradley Vasoli is a reporter at The Tennessee Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rheubin Taylor” by Hamilton County Mayor’s Office. Background Photo “Hamilton County Courthouse” by Brian Stansberry. CC BY 3.0.
