Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Tim Boyd is shown at the Hamilton County Commission meeting on February 12, 2020.The Hamilton County Commission on Tuesday delayed action on a proposal that would prohibit the use of county funds to pay immediate family members of the sheriff, district attorney and other offices set out in the state constitution.
Commissioners voted 7-1 to table the proposal by Commissioner Tim Boyd, R-East Brainerd, until June 2. Boyd was the lone dissenting vote on the delay, and Commissioner Randy Fairbanks, R-Soddy-Daisy, was absent.
“I think that it is something that ought to be discussed during budget time, not during a political season,” said Commissioner Greg Martin, R-Hixson, who made the motion to table the resolution for later discussion.
The resolution would not prevent family members from being employed by one of the constitutional officers – a group that includes positions such as the county clerk, judges and public defender. Instead, the measure prohibits county funding of such a position. If the measure becomes law, the officials would have to pay for the salary of a family member working under them using donations or state or federal funds.