Sumner County is poised to dissolve its human resources department and fire its director, one of the latest steps taken by a slate of “constitutional Republicans” elected to local office in 2022 on a platform of ending business as usual and limiting public spending.
The budget committee of the Sumner County Commission voted in May to scrap the department, a move that would leave one of the county’s largest employers without a dedicated human resources team.
The vote, part of a broader budget-making process, still requires approval by the full commission. The department’s elimination would save the county about $100,000 annually.
Cheryl Lewis-Smith, the county’s human resources director, called the actions a “travesty.” She was distraught, concerned about the welfare of Sumner County employees and the potential liability risks to the county, Lewis-Smith said as she stood before members of the county’s budget committee.
“There was no factual data, analysis, quantitative information discussed or shared as to what formal basis was established to make this recommendation,” she said. “So I’m left to wonder, why am I being targeted?”