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Shelby County commissioners debate charter amendment to allow board‑hired legal counsel; committee sends measure forward without recommendation
Summary
At a special call meeting of Committee No. 10, commissioners debated a second‑reading ordinance to amend the Shelby County Charter to authorize the Board to appoint or hire an attorney for legislative functions. After discussion the committee voted to send the item forward without a recommendation.
At a special call meeting of Committee No. 10 (General Government), members discussed a second‑reading ordinance to amend the Shelby County Charter to allow the Shelby County Board of Commissioners to appoint or hire an attorney to advise the board on legislative functions. Parliamentarian Palm Tyrion read the ordinance as sponsored by Commissioner Erica Sugarman.
Commissioner Erica Sugarman thanked County Attorney Marlene Iverson for providing background documents and asked for clarification about how many past resolutions had requested independent counsel. Sugarman said she had counted three such resolutions — from 2018, 2021 and 2023 — and said, "this is not a slight against attorney, Janica White or attorney, Ingram," adding that the intent was to secure "our own, objective attorney to represent the commissioner." County Attorney Marlene Iverson said she had pulled up eight different legislative items since she became County Attorney and offered to read them to clarify the record.
Opposition and concern about the proposal came from Commissioner Morrison, who said it could "be very confusing to taxpayers" and that outside counsel is available when conflicts arise. Commissioner Ford acknowledged both sides, referenced a similar discussion at the Memphis Shelby County School Board and raised cost concerns, stating, "This body just spent $5,200,000 to give the DA and his folks multiple raises." Commissioner Thornton said the proposal is about separation of powers and access to counsel tailored to the commission's legislative role.
After discussion Commissioner Ford moved that the item be sent "down without a recommendation," a motion seconded by Commissioner Sugarman and accepted "without objection" by the chair. The committee recorded that the item would go forward without a recommendation and then adjourned. The transcript does not record a roll‑call vote on the referral; no further scheduling or final vote on the charter amendment was specified at the meeting.
