Hamilton County Commission votes to hire Jamie Parks Barnell as special adviser after split debate

The Hamilton County Commission voted Wednesday to affirm a temporary hire of Jamie Parks Barnell as a special adviser, with her appointment effective Feb. 1, 2025, and terminating June 30, 2025.

The commission approved Resolution 125-20a after commissioners rejected a motion to postpone consideration. Commissioner Charles Sharp, who moved to postpone, said the item "has not been deliberated" and asked for more time for public input. Commissioner Sharp told the commission he had planned to question details and preferred a one-week delay; the motion to postpone failed on a roll call vote. After the postponement motion failed, the commission called the question and approved the resolution.

The commission then discussed how the position would be funded. County staff explained the position would not be paid directly from the county attorney's budget; instead, funds would come from the unassigned-division budget and from salary savings in other vacant positions. A county official on the record said that while departments can legally exceed their budgets in aggregate, individual divisions may not, and the county expects unspent funds in the unassigned division to cover the cost.

Public commenters raised concerns about transition costs. Gary Boles, who identified himself as a resident of Mountain Pass Drive, told commissioners the planned overlap would cost "approximately $66,600" and urged a shorter transition period. Commissioners noted they had been reviewing the candidate and that opinions differed over process and timing.

The commission's debate focused mainly on procedure and communication with the mayor's office. Commissioner Mackey said the candidate was "excellent" and suggested the disagreement reflected a broader communication gap between the mayor and the commission. Commissioner Graham urged a vote and said the commission had been considering the candidate repeatedly; he asked to complete the process.

The resolution passed on the commission floor after the postponement failed. The vote on the main motion included recorded yes votes from Commissioners Baker, Beck, Chauncey (listed on the roll call as Chelsea/Chauncey), Graham, Hilton, Hollander, Mackey, Shipley, Smith and the chairman; Commissioner Sharp cast a recorded no vote. The resolution directs that Barnell be engaged as a special adviser beginning Feb. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025.

Barnell's appointment and the funding approach prompted several commissioners to ask for clearer process and transparency in future hires; some said they wanted broader public deliberation for similar appointments. No salary amount or specific budget line for the appointment was stated on the record during the meeting.

Resolution details, recorded votes and public comments were entered into the meeting record.