Meetings Scheduled With CRMC CEO And City Council Over Mayor Hiring

Cookeville City Council Member Mark Miller said individual meetings are scheduled next week between council members and Cookeville Regional CEO Paul Korth.

“Some of the big issues are can a sitting member of the city council seek out employment with a city entity while being a member of the city council,” Miller said. “Is that an ethical thing? Is that legal?”

Miller said the concerns come from Cookeville residents saying the hire conveyed impropriety. According to the city’s charter, it is not prohibited for the mayor or other council members from being employed by Cookeville Regional.

“The overall thought process is I would just like to speak with an independent attorney to see what the charter legally says,” Miller said. “I can read the charter, but I am also not an attorney. So, I would like to have an independent legal opinion.”

City Attorney Danny Rader will not be used for the investigation due to his position on the hospital’s board of trustees. Miller said this is to ensure fair and balance legal advice on the hiring to make sure it is correct.

“It (The hiring) may look bad,” Miller said. “That is why the community members have reached out to us. It may not be illegal, but that is why Dr. Womack is asking for outside, a secondary legal opinion.”

A majority vote would be required to initiate the investigation. That was not achieved Thursday with the motion being postponed by a 3-2 vote. Shelton, Eric Walker and Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton voted to postpone. A special called meeting will now be held to continue conversations next Thursday.