BOLIVAR, Tenn. — Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen has sued the county mayor and the county over a salary dispute involving his department.
The lawsuit claims the department’s 2015-2016 budget was approved with salary reductions for some of Doolen’s employees without the sheriff’s knowledge.
According to state law, the suit says, no county budget that reduces salaries or number of sheriff’s department employees can be adopted without the sheriff’s consent. It cites another state law that says a salary suit may be filed if a county official disagrees with the amount appropriated.
The suit asks that the budget be modified and the salaries of affected employees be restored.
Hardeman County Mayor Jimmy Sain and County Attorney Chip Cary did not respond to messages seeking comment.
