Demetrus Coonrod can continue to serve on the Chattanooga City Council after a judge dismissed a challenge to her residency qualifications.
Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dumitru found Coonrod is a resident of the Moss Street home that sits in her council district, according to an order filed Tuesday morning. There had been dispute that Coonrod lived in a house off Heritage Drive, which she bought in January 2022 and sits outside city limits.
“Based solely on the testimony of the witnesses and content of the exhibits admitted into evidence at trial, the court concludes the city has failed to carry its heightened burden of proving conduct sufficient to justify the councilwoman’s removal under the ouster statute,” Dumitru wrote in the ruling.
The city has been ordered to reimburse Coonrod for her attorneys’ fees. Coonrod is a two-term member of the board who is challenging state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, for his seat in the Tennessee General Assembly. She did not immediately respond to a voicemail Tuesday.
On March 4, an anonymous email was sent to City Auditor Stan Sewell, City Attorney Phil Noblett and members of the Chattanooga City Council alleging Coonrod does not live in her district. Council members must be residents of their district to serve on the panel.