The Hamilton County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to acknowledge, rather than confirm, the appointment of Beka Bohannon to lead the Hamilton County Health Department.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp presented a resolution to commissioners last week asking them to confirm his selection of Bohannon to the post. That was questioned by Commissioner David Sharpe, D-Red Bank, who said he didn’t think the resolution presented by Wamp was following state law governing the position.
(READ MORE: Wamp announces key Hamilton County health appointment)
The law says the position is selected and confirmed by the state commissioner of health, after the mayor presents his picks.
State officials had not confirmed Wamp’s selection until Friday, after County Attorney Janie Varnell and Wamp’s staff learned more about the required procedure, according to a letter sent to Wamp by then-Tennessee Commissioner of Health Ralph Alvarado.
Alvarado resigned Friday after three years on the job, according to a press release from the office of Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
Sharpe asked publicly if the commission had the authority to confirm the position, and a memo sent to commissioners from Varnell last week said commissioners do not confirm the appointment under state law.
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Varnell also told commissioners in the memo that, even though Alvarado had already officially placed Bohannon in the job, they would move forward with the scheduled vote on her.
Sharpe asked Wednesday if the vote on Bohannon was performative and made a motion to amend the resolution’s wording from “confirm” to “acknowledge,” which was seconded by Commissioner Ken Smith, R-Hixson, and unanimously approved by the rest of the commission.
Commissioners then voted unanimously to acknowledge Bohannon’s posting to the job.
Contact Project Editor Joan McClane at jmcclane@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6601.