MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr has issued a rare veto, stopping a resolution he says the County Commission never had the authority to pass — and he’ll be on WGNS “LIVE” this Wednesday morning (Feb. 25) at 8:15AM to walk listeners through the steps he took. The measure, approved unanimously by commissioners on February 12 after clearing the Steering Committee 7–0 earlier in the month, would have allowed commissioners to appoint their own members as alternates to the county’s Ethics Committee. Carr said the move wasn’t just improper — it was unlawful.

Carr explained that both the County Attorney and his Chief of Staff confirmed that state law places appointment power squarely with the county mayor, not the legislative body. “Based on advice from County Attorney Nick Christiansen, I am forced to veto this resolution,” Carr said. “I will not knowingly sign an unlawful resolution. I requested research from the Chief of Staff, which clearly revealed the Steering Committee and County Commission’s error. I want to thank Mr. Hennessee and Mr. Christiansen for assisting me in avoiding the enactment of an unlawful resolution.”

Carr pointed to Tennessee Code Annotated § 5 6 106(c), which states that, unless a special law says otherwise, the county mayor appoints members of county boards and commissions, with the legislative body’s role limited to confirming or rejecting those appointments. A County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) interpretation reinforces that point, noting that a legislative body generally cannot appoint its own members to boards unless state law explicitly allows it, calling such self appointments a violation of public policy.

This marks Carr’s second veto in less than three years. His first, in May 2024, rejected the proposed P.E.A.Y. renaming of the Kittrell Public Health and Safety Building after more than 700 residents signed a petition opposing the change.

Carr didn’t mince words about what he believes motivated the latest misstep. “This is just another instance of the Steering Committee Chairman playing politics and putting his personal political aspirations before the county’s interests,” he said.

BELOW is the actual worksheet: