The Chattanooga City Council failed tonight to approve a deal to hire current Police Chief Freeman Cooper, who is retiring, as contracted employee for three years.
But the issue could come up at the next council meeting.
The council stalemated tonight in a 4-4 tie, with Councilwoman Sally Robinson absent, but the chairman or vice chairman could bring up the measure again next week, when Mrs. Robinson is expected to be present.
"It boils down to this, we've got a good police chief, we've got a good team and I want to keep it together as long as my tenure lasts," Mayor Ron Littlefield told council members today.
The council heard details about the contract today as they went over the agenda before the committee meetings. Chief Cooper has announced his intention to retire on March 31.
The mayor is proposing to keep the chief on for the remainder of the mayor's term at his current salary of $116,822 annually. Chief Cooper also would be able to draw a retirement pension and a retirement bonus.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.