CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Twenty people have turned in resumes to become the Bradley County Commission’s assistant, even though commissioners haven’t set the salary or hours for the part-time job.

Commission Chairman Michael Plumley recommended creating the position a month ago. He said it is needed because the county is growing and the commissioners have full-time jobs outside their elected posts.

Mr. Plumley also said there will be work involved to prepare for potential industrial growth as a spin-off from the Volkswagen plant to be built in Chattanooga.

At a Finance Committee session last week, Commissioner Jim Smith suggested taking money for the salary from the commission’s building improvement fund.

“I feel like there are as many questions as answers,” Committee Chairman Ed Elkins said.

Commissioner Connie Wilson insisted the commission should decide on the salary and hours before interviewing anyone for the post.

The commissioners spent a long time talking about how to pay for the position and to make sure it is just part time.

If the assigned time is more than 29.5 hours, the county must pay benefits for a full-time position. “We don’t want to do that,” Mrs. Wilson said.

Mr. Elkins suggested that since the proposed job would replace some of the hours that County Mayor D. Gary Davis’ assistant spends on commission business, some of the salary might be diverted from the mayor’s budget.

The committee voted 3-2 for Mr. Smith’s motion. Members asked a special committee to set the assistant’s hours and pay.

They said they should have a more realistic idea of the pay and hours in time for the next budget.

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