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Commissioners vote down proposal to add ouster proceedings for Commissioner Mike Hodge
Summary
An amendment to add ouster proceedings against Commissioner Mike Hodge failed after debate about whether the county could act without its attorney; commissioners then approved the agenda and consent items.
Manchester — A motion to add "ouster charges or investigation on Mike Hodge" to the Coffee County Commission's agenda failed after commissioners said the county attorney was absent and it would be inappropriate to proceed without legal counsel.
The amendment was introduced by Commissioner Brown, who told the commission, "This investigation has went on for an unreasonable amount of time, and I think we need to put it to an end tonight. We either need to oust him tonight or dismiss it." Brown said constituents in his district wanted answers and urged a decision.
The mayor objected to acting without the county attorney, saying the attorney was "in Southeast Asia" and that "without him here to have an executive session to address this with the body privately, that it would probably be inappropriate to vote on this tonight." Several commissioners asked procedural questions about what could legally be done without counsel.
Commissioner Jones expressed confusion over the motion and whether any action could be taken in the attorney's absence, asking for clarification. After discussion and a roll call, the amendment failed (transcript: "Motion fails. 11 no for yes"). The commission then returned to the original agenda and approved it as presented; the mayor recorded the agenda vote as passing with 15 yes and 1 no.
The exchange included references to local press coverage. Commissioner Brown read a headline from the Manchester Times and noted a reported statement by the district attorney that "no crimes [were] committed," and said some local officials characterized the proposed ouster as a "planned political shenanigan." Brown said he intended to stay after the meeting to review evidence that others claimed to have.
No formal ouster motion or executive-session action to remove Commissioner Hodge took place during the meeting. The mayor suggested the issue could be addressed when the county attorney is available; several speakers noted the approaching May 5 election as a relevant timetable for constituents.
The commission proceeded with other agenda business after the failed amendment.
