Mariah Franklin

Hamilton County commissioners Wednesday will publicly discuss a plan to replace the county's long-serving attorney, Rheubin Taylor, whose contract expires in June.

Hamilton County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said near the end of a county commission meeting that a proposal from County Mayor Weston Wamp to replace him with criminal defense attorney Janie Varnell would violate his employment contract.

The way private practice attorney Janie Varnell was announced as Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp's pick to replace Rheubin Taylor as county attorney has left lingering questions about the transition.

Days after the death of longtime Chattanooga City Council member Carol Berz left a vacancy on the council, five people — including her daughter, Jenni Berz — had moved to run for her spot.

Hamilton County commissioners Wednesday will weigh whether to use leftover federal funds to keep a nonprofit animal shelter afloat through the end of June or to bolster parks projects throughout the county.

Hamilton County commissioners postponed without discussion a vote on a proposal placing Janie Varnell in the role of county attorney, amid objections from the current county attorney that the move would violate his employment contract.

The Humane Educational Society, a nonprofit animal shelter that serves unincorporated Hamilton County, will not receive more than $211,000 in federal, pandemic-era funds that the organization's leaders said it needs to keep its operations going through the end of June.

Most Chattanooga voters will have a choice of candidates during the March 4 city elections.

After legal and logistical concerns prompted the Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday to postpone a vote replacing the county attorney until Jan. 8, the commission shifted and moved its decision up by five days.

Doll Sandridge, an insurance broker, has announced she's running for Chattanooga City Council.