(Aug 2025)
From the County Executive
When it comes to county government, people often ask a simple but critical question: who’s in charge of what? It’s a fair question. County government has many moving parts, and unless you spend all your spare time in commission meetings (which I don’t recommend!), it can seem complicated. This note clarifies the distinct roles of the County Executive and the Commission Chair—two positions that can either be combined or separated.
Tennessee law gives counties two options for structuring Commission leadership. In some counties, the County Executive also serves as Commission Chair. In others, the Commission elects one of its members as Chair, separate from the Executive. Many counties choose the latter approach because it shares leadership and clarifies responsibilities. For the remainder of my term, I’ve asked the Commission to move in that direction, with a focus on ensuring continuity and preparing new leadership to step up.
The Commission Chair carries significant responsibility for guiding the body’s work, but without a vote and with limited opportunity to participate in debate. At times, this structure makes it difficult to address challenges such as committees that often do not reflect the full consensus of the Commission, or the occasional misrepresentation of county business that can erode time, resources, and public trust. These matters fall squarely within the Commission’s authority, but they also highlight why clear separation of roles is important.
Clarity of roles. The County Executive “executes” county operations. That means ensuring all departments are properly resourced, directly supervising certain departments, and administering the adopted budget. The Commission and its committees, meanwhile, assemble and approve the annual budget and tax rate. Drawing a bright line between adopting the budget and carrying it out ensures citizens know exactly who is responsible for what. Questions about day-to-day county operations go to the Executive. Questions about appropriations go to the Commission through their Chair. Clear roles mean clear accountability.
More effective meetings. Anyone who has sat through a commission meeting knows they can be lively. A dedicated Chair, chosen from among the commissioners, can focus on running those meetings—a demanding job. With roles separated, the County Executive can better support the Commission by presenting clear, relevant information that informs decision making.
Focused leadership. Over the past three years, we’ve taken on significant capital projects and several grant-funded initiatives requiring close Executive oversight. At the same time, managing the legislative agenda is its own challenge. Separating the duties allows two leaders to give full attention to these distinct responsibilities. The Executive manages operations and implements priorities, while the Chair organizes agendas and schedules committees. Each role receives the focus it deserves.
Stronger accountability and continuity. Voters can evaluate leadership results based on their individual responsibilities. Further, commissioners aspiring to become County Executive gain hands-on experience as Chair. Succession planning is part of effective leadership, and this model allows emerging leaders to grow.
As Giles County looks toward 2026 and beyond, this transition promotes continuity, clarity, and shared leadership. Citizens will know “who owns what,” leaders can concentrate on their distinct responsibilities, and the county will be well positioned for a smooth and effective succession.