The City of Fayette fired its building inspector last week after nearly four months on the job. Tracy Read was hired on Aug. 27, contracted to work 20 hours a week.

Mr. Read told this newspaper on Friday that City Administrator Deanna Cooper tasked him with inspecting rental houses, which he considered a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which prohibits illegal searches and seizures.

“She wanted me to violate the US Constitution, and when I would not, they told me I would no longer be the building inspector,” Mr. Read wrote in an email to the Advertiser on Friday. “I am a disabled vet, and even though the city had no legal right to do what she wanted, she said she did not care, and if I would not do [what] she was asking I would no longer be the building inspector.”

Rental inspections are enforced on a voluntary basis, explained Fayette City Attorney Nathan Nicholaus. However, if the city was refused entry, it could seek an administrative search warrant to enter the property.

However, this situation did not occur during Mr. Read’s time as building inspector, according to the city.

Mayor Greg Stidham confirmed on Friday afternoon that Mr. Read was fired. He said neither Mr. Read’s status as a disabled veteran nor his concerns over the US Constitution were ever mentioned.

Mrs. Cooper said the City is an at-will employer and will seek to hire a new building inspector right away. “The City of Fayette or the employee may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. The City wishes Mr. Read well in his future endeavors.”

During the previous meeting of the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Mrs. Cooper said that she sent Mr. Read home before the meeting and said that she had a short report from him. However, the report was not shared or read aloud in open session.

In remarks at the end of that meeting, Northwest Ward Alderwoman Michelle Ishmael said she was disappointed that Mr. Read was not there to report. “It’s an important role and a lot of people are depending on him. I like to see and hear what that department is up to,” she said.

Mr. Read was unilaterally hired by the mayor in late August, prompting some criticism from East Ward Alderwoman Ronda Gerlt. During the council’s regular meeting on Sept. 9, she argued that the Mayor violated a city ordinance by sidestepping the council’s approval to hire a new city employee. The ordinance stated that while the City Administrator can recommend an employee for hire, the Board of Aldermen shall make all final employment decisions.

That discussion has persisted and led up to a split vote last week, allowing the City Administrator to hire new employees at the suggestion of department heads, removing the need for council approval. Mrs. Gerlt was the lone dissenting vote in a 5-1 decision. She has contended that council members should be part of the hiring process.

Another recent ordinance change approved by the council allows the City Administrator to issue business licenses without the approval of the city council. The measure, introduced by Alderwoman Gerlt, will speed up the process for businesses seeking to commence operation. Licenses may now be issued—as long as all requirements are met—without having to wait two, or sometimes, three weeks for the council to meet and grant approval.

The Fayette Board of Aldermen meets regularly at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in City Hall. However, the council will not meet during its regularly scheduled time on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Meetings are open, agendas are published in advance, and the public is invited.