County Commission delays interim sheriff vote

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department will have to wait another month before county commissioners decide whether to appoint an interim sheriff.

Commissioners voted 6-3 on Wednesday to postpone their action in the matter until April 10.

“I didn’t think we had anybody that had five votes,” said Commissioner Larry Henry, who made the motion to delay the vote. “I felt like it was a little premature to do it.”

Mr. Henry said the delay would give the commission more time to get to know the 10 candidates for interim sheriff.

Commissioner John Allen Brooks, who voted against the measure, said the commission had a responsibility to take a vote Wednesday.

“I don’t see how it changes things,” he said of the delay.

Commissioners Greg Beck and Curtis Adams also voted against the delay.

“I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t follow through with what we’re here for today,” Mr. Beck said.

Commissioner Jim Coppinger voted in favor of the date change, but he said state law requires that the commission appoint an interim sheriff in the case of a vacancy.

“I hope we can all agree we can ... (and) be able to appoint an interim sheriff,” he said.

Until the April 10 action, Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Allen Branum will continue to serve as acting sheriff.

Chief Branum took over the sheriff’s department after former Sheriff Billy Long, who pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal gun, drug, extortion and money laundering charges, resigned Feb. 6.

“We’re just basically going to continue doing what we’ve been doing,” Chief Branum said.

The chief deputy said he and sheriff’s department officers were expecting to gain stability from a vote to either appoint a sheriff or keep the department running as it is now.

“We were kind of thinking today might be at least something to hang onto,” he said.

Before making the motion, Mr. Henry reiterated his view that Chief Branum should stay in charge of the department until a new sheriff takes office. A new sheriff will be elected Aug. 7.

But Mr. Henry said he did not believe that plan had a majority of the commission’s votes either.

Commissioner Warren Mackey questioned what effect the delay might have on the sheriff’s department budget. He said the delay would put the selection of an interim sheriff at the beginning of the budget process.

“It just seems to be logical if we delay it 30 days to delay it the whole period,” Dr. Mackey said.

Chief Branum reassured the commission that the budget process is under way.

Commission Chairman Bill Hullander told Chief Branum that county Finance Administrator Louis Wright would be available to help the sheriff’s department put together its budget.

Mr. Beck suggested delaying approval of the sheriff’s department budget until September, when a newly elected sheriff will be in office.

HOW THEY VOTED

Voting for the delay:

Larry Henry

Jim Coppinger

Warren Mackey

Bill Hullander

Richard Casavant

Fred Skillern

Voting against the delay:

John Allen Brooks

Curtis Adams

Greg Beck

INTERIM CANDIDATES

* Former Sheriff’s Chief Deputy David Alverson

* Sheriff’s Lt. Lenda Clark

* James Durkan

* Former Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Richard Thurman

* Sheriff’s Staff Sgt. Tim Akins

* Former Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Ratledge

* Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Allen Branum

* Former Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Roy Phillips

* Former FBI Agent William Curtis

* Former FBI Agent Orin Sprague