A deadlocked City Council Tuesday night failed to get enough votes to approve a contract for Chattanooga's top law enforcement officer, and the matter could be voted on again next week.
"I think it will ultimately pass," said Mayor Ron Littlefield moments after the vote. "It keeps the community on the edge, and that's not a good thing."
PDF: Chief Cooper contract WHO VOTEDThe City Council deadlocked Tuesday night on offering a contract for police Chief Freeman Cooper. The votes were:YES* Councilwoman Carol Berz* Councilwoman Pam Ladd* Councilman Manny Rico* Councilwoman Deborah ScottNO* Councilman Jack Benson* Councilman Russell Gilbert* Councilman Andraé McGary* Councilman Peter MurphyABSENT*Councilwoman Sally RobinsonWHAT HE WOULD GETCalculations show Chattanooga Police Department Chief Freeman Cooper could earn more than $370,000 next year if approved for hire on a contract basis.*$116,822: Annual salary*$174,000: Estimated amount of bonus he could get through the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, or DROP*$79,750: Estimated amount of Chief Cooper's yearly pensionSource: Chattanooga Fire & Police Pension Fund
The council voted 4-4 Tuesday night on granting police Chief Freeman Cooper a three-year contract after he announced his plans to retire next week. It takes five votes for a measure to pass. Mr. Littlefield made a proposal to the council Tuesday to keep Chief Cooper in the police force's top position under a contractual basis, making his current salary of $116,822 a year.
The 58-year-old chief also would be able to draw a retirement pension of almost $80,000 a year and a retirement bonus, called the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, which would be a lump sum of around $174,000 a year, records show.
Councilwoman Sally Robinson was absent for the vote. Councilmen Jack Benson, Russell Gilbert, Andraé McGary and Peter Murphy all voted against the measure.
But the issue could come up again next week. The council chairman, vice chairman or two members of the party that voted against the measure could bring it up again. Council members first voted on a deferral for a week Tuesday night, but that failed because of lack of votes.
Councilman Peter Murphy asked the council to defer it for a week as he explored other options available. Chief Cooper could serve two more years in the police department without his retirement bonus being penalized.
But Mr. Littlefield said Tuesday night one reason the chief wants to retire is because his heirs would not be able to collect the lump sum in case of death. Chief Cooper is a prostate cancer survivor.
Mr. Murphy suggested the city take out a life insurance policy on Chief Cooper, or maybe even place the lump sum into an account for the chief so his heirs would be able to get the money if anything happened.
But he also acknowledged there may not be a solution.
"I expect there is either going to be a third way or there isn't," Mr. Murphy said.
Mr. Littlefield said afterward he did not think it would be easy to find life insurance of that type for a cancer survivor.
"I don't think there's an easy resolution," he said.
Contracts with chiefs have occurred before. The city held a contract with former Fire Chief Wendell Rowe and before that a contract with former Police Chief Jimmie Dotson. Mr. Littlefield also tried bringing former Councilwoman Marti Rutherford aboard the city for three days in order for her to secure medical benefits.
Several council members expressed disappointment Tuesday in the relatively short amount of time they were given to make a decision. Councilman Russell Gilbert said it was "ridiculous" to give the council eight days to make a decision. He also said there were people waiting in the ranks who could fill the spot.
Councilman Jack Benson called it a form of "double dipping" and also said there was no doubt the deal would be good for Chief Cooper's heirs.
"Of course it's good for his estate, he's going to bring in $300,000 next year," Mr. Benson said.