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Bartlett adopts several municipal code changes mirroring state offenses, sets hearings where required
Summary
The board adopted multiple city code changes (Ordinances 26‑01 through 26‑06) creating municipal offenses for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, obstructing a highway, immediate notice of accident, trailer safety‑chain requirements, and open containers in vehicles; the city attorney said fines would be civil and not exceed $50 and some items set public hearings on Feb. 10.
The Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a package of municipal code amendments that largely mirror existing Tennessee criminal statutes and create municipal offenses enforceable in Bartlett Municipal Court.
City Attorney Will Wright said the proposed ordinances adopt state statutory language into city code. Ordinance 26‑01 would add a municipal disorderly‑conduct offense as Section 11‑3‑07 and the board set a public hearing for Feb. 10. Ordinance 26‑02 would add a municipal public‑intoxication offense as Section 11‑3‑08 and carry a civil fine not to exceed $50; the board set a public hearing as requested. Ordinance 26‑03 would prohibit obstructing a highway or other passageway and incorporates portions of Tennessee Code Annotated 39‑17‑307; Wright clarified that if a state agency (for example, highway patrol) prosecuted the state offense, the municipal offense would not be charged on top of the state prosecution, though prosecutors have discretion to amend charges to a municipal violation in lieu of state prosecution.
Ordinance 26‑04 incorporates Tennessee Code Annotated section 55‑10‑106 (immediate notice of an accident) into city code and Ordinance 26‑05 mirrors Tenn. Code Ann. 55‑7‑114 to require safety chains on towed trailers (civil fine up to $50). Ordinance 26‑06 mirrors Tenn. Code Ann. 55‑10‑416 to prohibit open containers in vehicles and likewise carries a civil fine not to exceed $50. The ordinances were adopted on the floor with no recorded opposition in each vote noted in the transcript.
