Hamilton County Commission approves compliance office under county attorney after heated debate

Hamilton County commissioners voted to approve Resolution 1 26-25 on Jan. 21, 2026, creating a compliance office reporting through the county attorney’s office and authorizing the hiring of a compliance officer.

Supporters, including Commissioner Hilton and County Attorney Varnell, said the proposal implements most recommendations from the Baker Donelson report and will centralize compliance work, including HIPAA, ADA and records‑request practices. Varnell told the commission the office will begin by “assessing where the county is in terms of compliance now” and confirmed the HIPAA privacy officer would move into the county attorney’s office while the compliance officer position is hired.

Opponents raised concerns about independence, conflicts of interest and insufficient staffing. Commissioner Sharp said the resolution “creates yet another position under the mayor” and does not, in his view, reflect recent Department of Justice or HHS Office of Inspector General guidance on effective compliance programs; he warned the structure could expand executive authority and become, in his words, “performative window dressing” without sufficient staff or budget. Sharp was the lone vote against the resolution.

Commissioner Eversall and others asked whether the resolution tracked the Baker Donelson recommendations; Varnell said the firm’s report informed the proposal and that the proposal reflects roughly 95% of the recommendations. Finance staff said positions were already budgeted and that moving personnel would not add to the current year’s net budget.

A member of the public asked for a published job description; Varnell said a proposed job description is in the Baker Donelson documentation and that a draft written for Hamilton County can be circulated if the commission desires.

The motion, made by Commissioner Hilton and seconded by Commissioner Graham, passed by roll call 10–1 with Commissioner Sharp voting no. The resolution becomes effective immediately upon adoption; the county attorney said the office will begin by hiring the compliance officer and incorporating the privacy officer into the attorney’s office.