A Proposed Hiring Freeze In Hawkins County May Not Be Legal. According To An Opinion From The University Of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service, The County Commission Cannot Implement A Hiring Freeze On Seven Offices Because Their Personnel Number And Compensation Are Dictated By A Letter Of Agreement Or Maintenance Effort. If The Freeze Were To Pass, It Could Open The County Up To A Lawsuit From Each Of Those Office Holders. The County Was Looking At The Move In Order To Trim A Nearly Two Million Dollar Shortfall.