The County Commission Wednesday morning started the process to choose a replacement for General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon, who died unexpectedly at his Signal Mountain home last week.
Chairman Larry Henry said he met Tuesday morning with County Attorney Rheubin Taylor and a replacement process was worked out.
The County Commission passed a resolution to ask the Election Commission to set a vote on Aug. 2 on the judicial post. The term of the late Judge Moon runs through Aug.
31, 2014.
The commission will appoint an interim judge and will accept applications for an interim appointment through noon on Feb. 10.
Individual commissioners will interview applicants Feb. 13-29.
The commission will make the appointment on March 1.
Chairman Henry said, "In all fairness to the courts, we need to move on this."
Remaining judges at General Sessions Court had recommended that the process be expedited.
Special judges are sitting in place of Judge Moon, including Johnny Houston of Red Bank, David Norton of Soddy Daisy, Arvin Reingold of East Ridge and Kevin Wilson of Collegedale.
Judges Houston and Norton have been mentioned as leading candidates for the post.
Other possible contenders include Lila Statom of the district attorney's office, Rob Filyaw, Gary Starnes and Lloyd Levitt.
Chairman Henry said he has received calls from four applicants. He said, "I suspect we will have a lot of applicants."
Commission Greg Beck questioned why there will not be public interviews of the judge candidates.
Commissioner Warren Mackey asked why fill-ins could not handle the cases until the election. Chairman Henry said that might cause a backlog in the court.