East Ridge City Attorney John AndersonEast Ridge City Councilmen abruptly voted 3 to 2 Thursday night to extend City Attorney John Anderson’s contract to 2015.
Councilman Darwin Branam said the move was a “vote of confidence” in Anderson, whose position came under fire in March when Councilmen Denny Manning and Jim Bethune unsuccessfully tried to fire him.
Manning and Bethune voted against the measure. Both repeatedly have stated they believe Anderson is overpaid.
The city has budgeted $120,000 for legal services, which includes Anderson’s $90,000 retainer.
“The council is divided on the city attorney,” Branam said Friday. “It creates a hostile work environment when you’re always being threatened with getting fired.”