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Commission approves retirement increase for county employees





Cheatham County logo-WEB ONLY

Cheatham County logo-WEB ONLY

The Cheatham County Commission voted unanimously to increase its payout to retired county employees at its May 16 session.

According to Cheatham County Mayor Kerry R. McCarver, Cheatham County participates in the State of Tennessee retirement program. The minimum required by the State was to pay 3.9% of an employee’s wages. Cheatham County had been paying 4.5% to create a larger retirement payment for its employees.

Starting July 1, in the new fiscal year, the State has raised its minimum to 5.9%, so Cheatham County will be raising its share to 6% to still be slightly above the State’s new minimum. McCarver said the increased payout will cost the county $168,000 more per year.

The commission also discussed the possible abolishment of the role of constable in the county. Cheatham County Sheriff Mike Breedlove made a presentation to the commission stating his belief that the position is obsolete and also a liability concern for the county.

Cheatham County currently has six constables, all of which are elected offices. Breedlove said in the past, constables assisted the sheriff’s office when there were only a few deputy positions, something that isn’t an issue today. A constable’s main duties were to serve civil papers for a fee and assist the sheriff as back-up on calls.

A big concern is that constables have the same authority as full-time sworn officers but aren’t required to have the same training, nor are they supervised or held accountable to anyone. According to Breedlove, and citing County Technical Assistance Service Code 454, should a constable commit any act involving false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, intentional trespass, abuse of process, libel, slander, deceit, interference with contract rights, infliction of mental anguish, invasion of privacy or civil rights, or anything similar, the county may be held liable.

Approximately half of all Tennessee counties still have constables. Some argue they are an asset for small counties who don’t have adequate law enforcement staffing.

According to CTAS-454, a county legislative body may, by adopting a resolution by a two-thirds majority vote at two consecutive meetings, abolish the office of constable for that county. Any change would not be effective until the end of the current term being served by the constable.

Several constables were in attendance at the meeting. Commission Chairman and 4th District commissioner Donnie Jordan told the constables the issue could be brought up in the June workshop or tabled until the new County Commission is seated in September.

The Cheatham County Commission has its regular meeting the third Monday of every month.

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