Hamilton County commissioners on Thursday hired four judicial commissioners to oversee bond hearings and agreed to consider a resolution putting the county on record opposing a proposed water rate increase.
Commissioners approved four magistrates, including Larry Ables, the nephew of Commissioner Larry Henry.
The commissioners named Ables chief magistrate. They also named Yolanda Mitchell, Pete Johnson and Randall Russell. Ables and Mitchell are returning magistrates. Current Magistrate Robert Davis reapplied but was not selected.
Henry abstained from all the magistrate votes, though the county attorney told him he could participate.
“While I have again been assured my voting is not going to be a violation, I wanted to make this statement in order to ensure there is full disclosure,” Henry said.
The four judges oversee bond hearings in Hamilton County and have shifts covering 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Henry said Ables would serve as chief magistrate for six months, and said in six months, the commission would consider reappointing two magistrates.
Davis, who held the job for two years, said he had done a good job as a magistrate.
“I have worked very hard at this job,” he said. “I’ve done the best I can.”
Commission Chairman Fred Skillern said Davis “didn’t stack up” with the other candidates.
On Oct. 6, commissioners interviewed 11 applicants for the four seats, including three serving magistrates.
Henry first disclosed he was Ables’ uncle by marriage in 2007, when Ables first was appointed. County Attorney Rheubin Taylor told Henry he could vote for Ables again without creating an ethics conflict.
As chief magistrate, Ables earns $64,363 annually. The regular magistrate salary is $59,363.
In other business, Tim Spires, executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturer’s Association, asked commissioners to join the group in opposing a proposed 28 percent increase in water fees by Tennessee-American Water.
Commissioners said they would consider a resolution to that effect next week.
“We want the public hearing (on the increase) to be held in Hamilton County,” Commissioner Jim Coppinger said of the resolution.