Hamilton County Commission acknowledges appointment of Rebecca Bohannon as health services administrator after legal questions

Hamilton County commissioners voted July 16 to acknowledge the county mayor’s appointment of Rebecca Bohannon as administrator of the Hamilton County Health and Social Services Division, after discussion about the proper wording and legal authority.

The commission approved Resolution 7 25-14 as amended to substitute the word “acknowledge” for “confirm.” Commissioner Sharp moved the amendment and Commissioner Smith seconded; the roll call vote recorded support from the commissioners present and the amended resolution passed.

The change came after discussion about whether the commission’s action carried legal force over the mayor’s appointment. Attorney Janie Varnell told the commission, “In my opinion, I don't think the nomenclature really matters. If the will of this body is to acknowledge and that's cleaner, then we can certainly amend the resolution to say acknowledge rather than confirm.”

Why it matters: Commissioners asked whether the county commission could legally remove or meaningfully block appointments made by the county mayor or the state-level commissioner of health. Commissioner Sharp read into the record an attorney general opinion from 2021 that limited local authority on removal of county health officers without the state commissioner of health’s permission. Sharp said the AG opinion “is that a county mayor may not remove a county health officer without the permission of the commissioner of health unless law, i.e., a private act, gives the county mayor the power to do so.”

Rebecca (Becca) Bohannon, the appointee, addressed the commission after the vote and called the role an honor. “I’m incredibly humbled and grateful to be before this body,” Bohannon said. She thanked the mayor and county staff and said, “Now is when the fun begins... we have a lot of health services representatives here today.”

Judge Chrissy Seller, general sessions court, offered public comment in support: “I just wanted to commend what Becca Bohannon has done for our county ... She deserves to be commended for that, and I’m excited for our county for what she'll do for our health.”

Commissioners described the selection process and the committee that reviewed candidates. Commissioner Baker said the committee — including health sector leaders — worked with Bohannon and recommended her. He told the commission that an advisory committee will be created to support the administrator.

Actions and next steps: The commission did not appoint Bohannon — the mayor made the appointment — but the commission’s roll call formally acknowledged the mayor’s action. County staff agreed to provide a revised resolution text reflecting the amended language for the record. The commission also noted the distinction between an appointment of an administrator (the role before them) and appointments or authority reserved specifically to a county health officer.

Officials present identified departmental leadership who will continue work under the new administrator, including the health officer and directors of clinical and environmental services.

The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items after the vote; no further formal action related to the appointment was taken during the meeting.