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Commission approves charter change to allow Board to hire independent legal adviser
Summary
On third reading the Commission approved an amendment authorizing the Board of Commissioners to appoint or hire independent legal counsel to support its legislative functions; passage required a two‑thirds threshold and passed 10‑2.
The Commission approved an ordinance amending the Shelby County Charter to authorize the Board of Commissioners to appoint and hire an attorney to serve as legal adviser for the Commission’s legislative functions. Sponsors argued the change would prevent executive‑branch conflicts and speed legal review of ordinances.
Commissioner Erica Sugarman urged colleagues to put the question to voters and argued independent counsel would prevent delays in legal review that she said stalled legislative proposals. Commissioner Morrison opposed the change, saying the county attorney's office had provided responsive counsel and warning of potential conflicts and costs.
The roll call yielded 10 ayes and 2 nos, meeting the two‑thirds threshold required for charter‑amendment measures on third reading; the ordinance therefore passed.
