The Catoosa County Commission decided at its Dec. 6 meeting to require the hiring of department heads to be ratified by the commission. Previously, the hiring of department heads fell solely under the purview of the county manager.
Outgoing Chairman Keith Greene was the single dissenting vote.
“In my opinion, if the board are the ones that are approving the appointment of directors, then it implies favoritism,” he said during the meeting.
Greene attempted to table the vote until his replacement, Steven Henry, could take his seat on the commission after the new year, but could not get a second.
In a follow-up interview, Greene said he’s worried the change could undo the progress Catoosa has made in its hiring practices over the eight years he’s served as chairman.