Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 11:06 am

The Rutherford County Commission will hear a new version of a proposed law governing the Rutherford County Attorney’s office at its regular monthly meeting Thursday night. At issue is a new legal services agreement with county attorney Jim Cope’s law firm, Cope, Hudson & Reed to provide legal advice and support to the county for the next two years. In order for the contract to be legal, the county’s laws defining the office of county attorney must be rewritten, which takes the approval of the Tennessee Legislature in Nashville. Since the change is permanent, the a local citizens group wanted it done correctly and the county commission sent the resolution back through the committee process to make sure all wrinkles are ironed out and questions answered. The Steering Committee strengthened a provision in the proposed law making it clear that county commission has the authority to hire the county attorney and any other outside legal council, Steering Committee Chairman John Rodgers said. But the committee stopped short at requiring a 2/3 (supermajority) vote to confirm the county attorney and appoint outside council. Next the Steering Committee will begin reworking a legal services agreement with Cope, Hudson & Reed that Rodgers hopes to have ready by February or March. ••• The Oakland Middle and Whitworth-Buchanan Middle schools project is over budget by $1,166,790, which was caused by the changes Murfreesboro required when the school system applied for permits for the new schools. To fund the shortfall, Rutherford County Schools will not use new money from the county, but will transfer funds from other completed construction projects. The commission will also hear a report on the progress of the two new middle schools, as well as consider plans for renovating Central Middle into a magnet school. ••• The county will receive more free money from the federal stimulus program. The Rutherford County Administrative Office of the Courts received a ARRA Byrne Program grant for $4,935 for enhancing courtroom security and technology.