Chattanooga's Erlanger Hospital is seen in this aerial file photo.

Apparently worried that Erlanger trustees are going to push up their timetable to name a CEO, every member of Hamilton County's state legislative delegation has signed a letter telling the trustees to go slow.

"(I)t has come to our attention that the Board of Trustees is considering an accelerated process to select a new CEO," states the letter dated Tuesday.

The lawmakers remind trustees that legislation is being prepared to amend the Hospital Authority Act under which Erlanger Health System operates

"In light of likely legislation that will affect the governance structure of the authority, any action to enter into a long-term contract with a new CEO at this time would be premature and could potentially burden the new governance structure with a contract that would be expensive and disruptive to terminate," the letter states.

Trustees have been seeking a replacement for Jim Brexler, who was forced out in December 2011. A search committee is interviewing three finalists and hospital officials had said they expected a vote in March.

But rumors have been flying that the trustees might push up the vote, perhaps as soon as their Jan. 24 meeting.

Lawmakers signing the letter include state Sens. Bo Watson and Todd Gardenhire; Rep. Gerald McCormick, House Majority Leader, and Reps. JoAnne Favors, Vince Dean, Richard Floyd and Mike Carter.

See Friday's Times Free Press for complete coverage.