Updated 10/17/19

The appointment of a county attorney is not on the Giles County Commissions agenda as they meet Monday at 9 a.m.

On the September agenda, electing a county attorney was on the list of items, but was sent to the Legislative Committee after an opinion from the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service was presented indicating a conflict of interest exists because County Commissioner Terry Harwell’s wife is an employee of the law firm owned by current County Attorney Chris Williams.

Information is being asked by the committee on whether a conflict of interest exists as the commission seeks to appoint a county attorney for the year that began in September 2019.

During last month’s meeting, it was read CTAS opinion states, “members of the county legislative body cannot be financially interested or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly, in contractual services for the county. Because the commissioner’s spouse is an employee of the law firm, the commissioner would be financially interested in a contract between the county and the law firm.”

At a recent Legislative Committee meeting, Williams made it clear the CTAS opinion does not state he has a conflict of interest.

Williams explained that the county attorney is elected by the county commission and the position is neither an employee of the county or a contracted service.

The county attorney asked a representative with CTAS to take his information back to their attorneys who issued the initial opinion prior to the September commission meeting and determine if, under the circumstances in Giles County, the conflict of interest laws are triggered.

Williams prompted extensive discussion among county commissioners at the Committee meeting concerning conflict of interest and how it affects the way the county does, or does not, do business with local companies.

The issue could be moved from the table during the full county commission meeting Monday at 9 a.m. if CTAS attorneys provide adequate answers in time.

Williams has served as county attorney for more than five years.