Hamilton County commissioners postponed without discussion votes on a proposal transitioning Janie Varnell into the role of county attorney beginning in January, after hearing objections from the current county attorney that the move would violate his employment contract.
Some commissioners said they chose to defer voting until their Jan. 8 meeting out of concerns over County Attorney Rheubin Taylor’s contract, the process behind Varnell’s selection and unanswered questions about her pay, position and title. They opened their Wednesday meeting with a recess to consult in private with secondary legal representation after Taylor last week told them he could not, for ethical reasons, give them guidance on the proposal.
That proposal would have seen Varnell transition into the attorney position over a six-month period. Also under the proposal, Taylor would have remained with the county after June 30 in an advisory role until the end of 2025.
A transition plan County Mayor Weston Wamp’s office provided to commissioners described a possible timeline under which Varnell might take over for Taylor but did not include suggestions about her salary, office or title through that six-month period. Wamp and his representatives have said that the administration’s goal is to develop those details with the commission.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County attorney says votes on replacement would violate his contract)