Hamilton County commissioners said this morning they expect to choose a replacement for County Mayor Claude Ramsey on Dec. 27.
Ramsey is stepping down to become Gov.-elect Bill Haslam's deputy. Ramsey's last day is Jan. 11.
Commissioners this morning outlined the process they will follow to replace Ramsey. They will advertise the vacancy for three days in the Times Free Press and vote Dec. 27.
Commissioners didn't decide this morning whether they would publicly interview candidates, but several said they would prefer private interviews.
Two sitting commissioners, Jim Coppinger and Larry Henry, have expressed an interest in the job, as has Mike Carter, Ramsey's special assistant.
Commissioners who have not declared an interest in the post said it's too early to say who they would support. Commissioner Jim Fields noted that members of the general public will be allowed to submit names for consideration.
"They're gonna open it up," he said. "Why would I commit now when I don't know what the field is going to be?"
Under the law, commissioners who are nominated can not vote for themselves or on any matters related to filling the vacancies. Chairman Fred Skillern said this might reduce the effective majority needed to confirm the appointment from seven to four, but added he wanted an attorney's opinion on that.
County Attorney Rheubin Taylor passed out a sheet giving recommendations of how the commission should proceed, and commissioners decided to take applications until 4 p.m. on Dec. 17 and fill the job Dec. 27, providing for seven full days notice of the vacancy under the law.
Taylor also said any member of the commission interested in the position should not discuss their desire for the job with another commissioner, outside of an open meeting.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.