The Hamilton County CommissionWhen will the public finally tire of governing on the down-low and in secret?
Have you heard any debate from your county commissioners about us possibly paying them more?
No, you haven’t. Because they haven’t brought up in public commission meetings their quiet effort to clear the way for their own raises through the local delegation of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Instead, eight of nine of the commissioners privately signed a letter sent to the local state delegation last week asking lawmakers to remove the 15-year-old language in state law that set Hamilton County commissioner salaries and tied their potential raises to the county mayor’s pay.
State Sen. Todd Gardenhire says the delegation sends those local-specific requests through “as a courtesy” if they have two thirds support from the requesting local commission or council.