For now, East Ridge City Attorney John Anderson will keep his job.

With Councilman Darwin Branam at a second residence in Florida, the remaining councilmen tied 2-2 Monday night on a motion to terminate Anderson, disappointing residents who feel the attorney is overpaid.

"John Anderson needs to be fired, his contract does not need to be changed," Mark Brandt wrote on Facebook hours before tonight's special called meeting.

Since the council deadlocked, the matter moves to the next scheduled meeting - March 10.

Anderson has collected more than $90,383 in the first six months of the current fiscal year - $383 more than the city budgeted for the entire cycle, which ends June 30.

Records show he has billed for parking, phone calls, postage and meals.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.