Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tullahoma moves code‑enforcement cases back to city judge after administrative hearing officer trial
Summary
The Board approved on first reading an ordinance to repeal the city’s administrative hearing‑officer system for code enforcement and return such cases to the city judge, citing delays, high fines and inconsistent outcomes; the measure will return for a second reading in January.
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Dec. 8 voted 7–0 on the first reading of an ordinance to repeal the city’s chapter establishing administrative hearing officers and to return most code‑enforcement adjudication to the city judge.
City Administrator (unnamed) and staff told the board the administrative hearing officer process produced scheduling delays, high appearance fees and, at times, excessively large fines. “The administrative hearing officer, many times, was enacting enormous fines against these properties because of continuing days of violation,” said staff counsel during the discussion. Legal and enforcement staff said that returning the docket to the city judge will likely be more timely and cost‑effective for residents and the city.
Board members asked staff to consult with Judge Joe Conley before the January second reading to ensure the judge can absorb the added docket work. Staff said the judge already handles similar matters historically and that the city administrator can reduce fines in certain circumstances.
There was discussion about whether the earlier administrative hearing officer failure was due to the process itself or the individual who served in that role; legal counsel said it was a combination of both. The ordinance will return for a second reading in January.
What’s next: staff will meet with Judge Conley and report back at the next meeting ahead of the second reading.
