Douglas County Gets New Attorney After Employment Confusion

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — A new county attorney will take the reins in Douglas County, two months after commissioners tabled a vote due to confusion on the status of current County Attorney Ken Bernard's employment, the Douglas County Sentinel reported.

Bernard has served as county attorney for more than 10 years, and he will now become special legal counsel for the county, according to the news outlet. Thompson Hine LLP will become county attorney, pending finalization of the contract, thanks to a 4-1 vote by Douglas County Board of Commissioners last week. Commissioner Tarenia Carthan voted against the measure.

The board was set to vote on hiring Thompson Hine back in August, but the vote was tabled. Bernard had gotten a termination letter in June, which Carthan and fellow Commissioner Kelly Robinson instructed Procurement Director Dawn Evers to send, the Sentinel reported.

Commissioner Ann Jones Guider said Evers shouldn't have been told to send the letter because Bernard's termination hadn't been voted on by the full Board of Commissioners. Guider told the Sentinel it was a breach of contract.

Commissioners voted Thursday to cancel Bernard's current contract, award him a new one as special legal counsel and hire Thompson Hine as county attorney. Bernard will get $318,000 in his new role — up from his $253,000 salary as county attorney — and Thompson Hine will be paid $818,000 per year to serve in Bernard's former role, county documents show.