ÿWPCZD Û7lü@]¶ÜwðƒùÜ úw-½F-’00áVÓ­S]³·9ÐŽF6Y1HÜS«©$RvÔj|džL Aa ÚmÈPëéãZ…D *n%º0Všž@Kݺ¢›±.TŒ pcNÚ¿‘uÄ@ŽÊÃ謭‰¥Þ+c ¤ôà•xaÑ×lX®ýŽñ™‹‹R_î³Q6€R* þ»,\ꤱp ¡tÎl“óÁ.Dé nìr©òúÇ]¦*¤E,b½./w$XÄßå¢~à8<‘n”Õ™k§±Gô×Ûð–¤ÃíS Õè`yÐbó¶snøò&92uÏeÒuÉàí|VrȽ¾ÒQGF´ï‰¶l¯ÏÌ>t-BnªŽŒ¶¥ªáûT³¹OR  ½ L‡éÌßT8Ý ÿÞ03‘™P»ªCØû?fD´ðg°éÏÄÚIb °y˜+hì8½”|0™n"t^â ~÷³ƒ>—B(÷ª?&p¬b#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy U)N ^ O w[ z_ ÒÙ 4« ¿ Î mÐ Æç Æ­ ÆsÆ9 0 DÿNCÜEEE!#„+¯ ¨Á!éi%%R-Xw1ÚÏ3¦©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<©<bO?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O?O? 0 ëW?W?W?W? BB@B@ 0¤_@ D3A D-6A 0KcAcA AS®AÆB 0¤ÇB 0DkC A«¯C˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular¥œ1Ï  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt6hö0ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ÒÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Section€50„6„106(5)€provides:Ð ° ÐÓ °ÓÓ °ÓThe€state€of€Tennessee,€counties€thereof€and€municipal€corporations;€provided,€thatÐ qÁ Ðthe€state,€any€county€or€municipal€corporation€may€accept€the€provisions€of€thisÐ 2‚ Ðchapter€by€filing€written€notice€thereof€with€the€division€under€the€administrator,Ð óC Ðat€least€thirty€(30)€days€before€the€happening€of€any€accident€or€death,€and€may€atÐ ´ Ðany€time€withdraw€the€acceptance€by€giving€like€notice€of€the€withdrawal.€€TheÐ uÅ Ðstate,€any€county€or€municipal€corporation€may€accept€the€provisions€of€this€chapterÐ 6 † Ðas€to€any€department€or€division€of€the€state,€county€or€municipal€corporation€byÐ ÷ G Ðfiling€written€notice€thereof€with€the€division€under€the€administrator€at€least€thirtyÐ ¸  Ð(30)€days€before€the€happening€of€any€accident€or€death€and€may,€at€any€time,Ð y É  Ðwithdraw€acceptance€for€the€division€or€department€by€giving€like€notice€of€theÐ : Š  Ðwithdrawal,€and€such€acceptance€by€the€state,€county€or€municipal€corporation€forÐ û K  Ðany€department€or€division€thereof€shall€have€effect€only€of€making€the€departmentÐ ¼  Ðor€division€designated€subject€to€the€terms€of€this€chapter[.]Ð }Í  ÐÓ °¿ÓÓ °±ÓòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€50„6„106(5)€(2003);€òòsee€also€Brown€v.€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€02A01„9803„CV„00069,€1998€WLÐ >Ž  Ð742385,€at€*1€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€22,€1998).€€ þÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€claims€filed€by€the€firefighters€consist€of€the€following:€(1)€€In€March€2000,€Wayne€Ô_ÔMoseleyÔ_Ô€wasÐ ° Ðdiagnosed€with€post€traumatic€stress€disorder;€(2)€In€April€2000,€Robert€Franks€was€diagnosed€with€hypertension;€(3)Ð qÁ ÐIn€May€2000,€Kim€Stout€was€diagnosed€with€post€traumatic€stress€disorder,€depression,€generalized€anxiety€disorder,Ð 2‚ Ðand€hyperventilation€syndrome;€(4)€In€October€2000,€Columbus€Ô_ÔEcholsÔ_Ô€was€diagnosed€with€hypertension;€(5)€In€OctoberÐ óC Ð2000,€Richard€Ô_ÔCogginsÔ_Ô€was€diagnosed€with€hypertension€and€heart€disease;€(6)€In€November€2000,€Martin€RobertsÐ ´ Ðsuffered€a€myocardial€infarction€and€was€diagnosed€with€heart€disease;€(7)€In€November€2000,€Roy€Ô_ÔGookinÔ_Ô€wasÐ uÅ Ðdiagnosed€with€heart€disease;€(8)€In€July€2001,€Terry€Wynne€was€diagnosed€with€hypertension;€(9)€In€August€2001,Ð 6 † ÐAndrew€Hart€was€diagnosed€with€hypertension;€(10)€In€August€2001,€Lynn€Patterson€was€diagnosed€with€atheroscleroticÐ ÷ G Ðcoronary€artery€disease;€(11)€From€January€2002€to€August€2002,€John€Ô_ÔFralichÔ_Ô,€Jr.€has€experienced€heart€problems€andÐ ¸  Ðhypertension;€(12)€On€March€19,€2002,€Randy€Ô_ÔJeanesÔ_Ô€died€after€experiencing€complications€with€his€blood€pressure,€andÐ y É  Ðhe€is€represented€by€his€wife,€Laura€Ô_ÔJeanesÔ_Ô,€in€the€present€suit;€and€(13)€Bethany€Turner€has€experienced€heart€problemsÐ : Š  Ðshe€attributes€to€her€employment€with€the€City.€€Roy€Ô_ÔTidwellÔ_Ô,€a€police€officer€with€the€City,€suffered€a€stroke€in€OctoberÐ û K  Ð2000€and€has€been€diagnosed€with€hypertension.€ zÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€claims€filed€by€Wayne€Ô_ÔMoseleyÔ_Ô€and€Kim€Stout€were€submitted€to€the€Cityððs€Risk€Manager€under€separateÐ ° Ðprovisions€of€the€Ô_ÔOJIÔ_Ô€policy€and€were€subsequently€denied.€ Ý ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Two€of€the€petitions€were€filed€in€2000,€six€were€filed€in€2001,€four€were€filed€in€2002,€and€two€were€filedÐ ° Ðin€2003. žÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Section€27„8„104€provides:Ð ° ÐÓ °ÓÓ °Óò òPower€of€circuit€and€chancery€courtsó ó.Ð qÁ ÐÌ(a)€The€judges€of€the€inferior€courts€of€law€have€the€power,€in€all€civil€cases,€toÐ ÷G Ðissue€writs€of€certiorari€to€remove€any€cause€or€transcript€thereof€from€any€inferiorÐ ¸ Ðtribunal,€on€sufficient€cause,€supported€by€oath€or€affirmation.Ð yÉ Ð(b)€The€chancellors€shall€have€concurrent€jurisdiction€with€the€judges€of€the€circuitÐ : Š Ðcourts€of€this€state€in€granting€writs€of€certiorari€and€supersedeas€removing€causesÐ û K Ðfrom€general€sessions€courts€to€the€circuit€courts.Ð ¼  ÐÓ °¼ÓÓ °®ÓòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„8„104€(2003).€€ ßÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€ð ðReview€under€a€statutory€writ€is€by€trial€òòde€novoóó.ðð€€òòÔ_ÔMcCallenÔ_Ô€v.€City€of€Memphisóó,€786€S.W.2d€633,€638Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€1990)€(citing€òòRoberts€v.€Brownóó,€310€S.W.2d€197,€206ð!ð08€(Tenn.€1957)).€Review€under€a€statutory€writ€ofÐ qÁ Ðcertiorari€is€appropriate€where€a€statute€provides€ð ðthe€scope€and€method€of€review€of€an€action€of€an€administrativeÐ 2‚ Ðbody.ðð€€òòCooper€v.€Williamson€County€Bd.€of€Educ.óó,€746€S.W.2d€176,€178€(Tenn.€1987).€€Although€the€Employees€sought,Ð óC Ðin€the€alternative,€review€under€the€statutory€writ€of€certiorari,€the€chancery€court€properly€recognized€that€it€could€notÐ ´ Ðundertake€a€review€of€the€decision€of€the€Ô_ÔOJIÔ_Ô€Appeals€Panel€in€these€cases€under€the€statutory€writ.€€The€EmployeesÐ uÅ Ðapparently€realized€the€error€of€seeking€review€under€a€statutory€writ€of€certiorari€when€their€proposed€Findings€of€FactÐ 6 † Ðand€Conclusions€of€Law€omitted€as€an€option€review€of€the€Ô_ÔOJIÔ_Ô€Appeals€Panel€decisions€under€a€statutory€writ€ofÐ ÷ G Ðcertiorari.€€Regardless€of€the€resolution€of€the€Ô_ÔdispositiveÔ_Ô€issues€in€this€case,€it€is€clear€that€the€statutory€writ€of€certiorariÐ ¸  Ðwas€an€improper€vehicle€to€use€when€seeking€review€of€the€Ô_ÔOJIÔ_Ô€Appeals€Panel€decisions.€€òòSee€Davis€v.€Hamilton€CountyÐ y É  ÐBd.€of€Educ.óó,€No.€03A01„9504„CH„00135,€1995€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€559,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€29,€1995);Ð : Š  ÐòòCunningham€v.€Bd.€of€Educ€for€Ô_ÔGrundyÔ_Ô€Countyóó,€No.€85„302„II,€1986€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€3331,€at€*4ð!ð5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð û K  ÐOct.€1,€1986).€€€ Ý ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€During€oral€argument,€the€Employees€also€cited€to€our€decision€in€òòÔ_ÔLockridgeÔ_Ô€v.€Metropolitan€Government€ofÐ ° ÐNashvilleóó,€No.€01„A„019103CH00097,€1991€WL€153316€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€14,€1991),€where€we€held€that€sectionÐ qÁ Ð4„5„322€of€the€Tennessee€Code€applied€to€the€decision€of€the€cityððs€òòcivil€service€board€óóin€failing€to€promote€minorityÐ 2‚ Ðemployees,€as€additional€support€for€their€position.€€We€find€our€holding€in€òòÔ_ÔLockridgeÔ_Ôóó,€as€it€relates€to€the€issue€of€whetherÐ óC Ðthe€Ô_ÔOJIÔ_Ô€Appeals€Panel€qualifies€as€a€civil€service€board,€inapplicable€to€the€present€case€because€we€were€dealingÐ ´ Ðspecifically€with€a€civil€service€board€in€that€case.€€òòSee€Ô_ÔLockridgeÔ_Ôóó,€1991€WL€153316,€at€*1.€€ NÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€In€a€recent€decision,€this€Court€correctly€identified€and€applied€the€holding€in€òòÔ_ÔKendrickÔ_Ôóó€by€reviewing€theÐ ° Ðdecision€of€a€pension€board€under€the€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.€€òòÔ_ÔPardueÔ_Ô€v.€Metro.€Ô_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&€DavidsonÐ qÁ ÐCountyóó,€No.€01A01„9707„CH„00312,€1998€WL€173208,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€15,€1998).€€ ÐÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€òòSeeóó€òòÔ_ÔHugheyÔ_Ô€v.€Metro.€Ô_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€M2002„02240„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2003€WLÐ ° Ð21849628,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€8,€2003);€òòLien€v.€Metro.€Ô_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€117€S.W.3d€753,Ð qÁ Ð757€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003);€òòHowell€v.€City€of€Columbiaóó,€No.€M2001„00620„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2002€WL€31322529,€at€*2Ð 2‚ Ðn.2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€16,€2002);€òòRobbins€v.€City€of€Johnson€Cityóó,€No.€E2000„02952„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2001€WL€767020,Ð óC Ðat€*4ð!ð5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€3,€2001);€òòMack€v.€Civil€Serv.€Ô_ÔCommððnÔ_Ô€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€02A01„9807„CH„00215,Ð ´ Ð1999€WL€250180,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòKnoxville€Utilis.€Bd.€v.€Knoxville€Civil€Serv.€Merit€Bd.óó,€No.€03A01„9301„Ð uÅ ÐCH„00008,€1993€WL€229505,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€28,€1993);€òòCity€of€Memphis€v.€Owensóó,€No.€02A01„Ð 6 † Ð9109CH00202,€1992€WL€227561,€at€*6€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€18,€1992);€òòCity€of€Knoxville€v.€Ô_ÔPopejoyÔ_Ôóó,€No.€03A01„Ð ÷ G Ð9104„CH„00148,€1991€WL€276796,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€31,€1991);€òòÔ_ÔLockridgeÔ_Ô€v.€Metro.€Ô_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&Ð ¸  ÐDavidson€Countyóó,€No.€01„A„019103CH00097,€1991€WL€153316,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€14,€1991);€òòLewis€v.€Metro.Ð y É  ÐÔ_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01„A„01„9006CH00220,€1990€WL€205223,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€18,Ð : Š  Ð1990);€òòState€v.€Civil€Serv.€Ô_ÔCommððnÔ_Ô€of€the€Metro.€Ô_ÔGovððtÔ_Ô€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01„A„01„9002„CH00061,Ð û K  Ð1990€WL€165073,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€31,€1990).€€€€ œÝ ƒRàÅ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€We€note,€and€our€case€law€has€established,€that€the€decisions€presented€for€review€under€the€broader€languageÐ ° Ðð ðcity€or€county€official€or€boardðð€will€necessarily€produce€a€more€divergent€array€of€factual€circumstances€than€the€moreÐ qÁ V Ðnarrow€language€ð ðcivil€service€board.ðð€€By€limiting€review€under€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€decisionsÐ ° Ðof€a€ð ðcivil€service€board,ðð€the€legislature,€in€effect,€narrowed€the€meaning€of€ð ðemployment€status.ðð€€€- ù-(|G2àÅ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ƒ™»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô­Ôò»»Ô d(|3ÿ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ƒ™»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÿ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ƒ™»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ƒ™»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ƒ™»»»ÔÑ8€ÚoXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡îkVƒ™ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼ƒ™»îîkV #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  Ó€Ô€îkVƒ™ÔSeptember€23,€2004€SessionÐ öF ÐÔ‡XÚoXîîkVÔÌò òÔ#†îkVîXXÚo#ÔÔ‡¼ƒ™»îîkVÔROY€L.€TIDWELL,€òòet€al.óó€v.€CITY€OF€MEMPHISòòóóÔ#†îkVƒ™[#ÔÔ‡XÚoXîîkVÔó óÐ  R ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ ü L Ðà@@øøìàNo.€CH„01„2221„1€€€€€Walter€L.€Evans,€ChancellorÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<£` AßÐ ¤ô  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00024„COA„R3„CVÔ#†îkVîXXÚoÒ#ÔÔ‡XÚoXîîkVÔ€„€Filed€December€28,€2004Ð í  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<p` AßÐ qÁ  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€City€of€Memphis€promulgated€an€On„the„Job€Injury€Program€to€handle€claims€filed€by€cityÐ i¹  ÐÔ‡X'^ XXXÚoÔÓ$°,XŒX(#°œX$Óemployees€seeking€benefits€for€on„the„job€injuries.€€Thirteen€firefighters€and€one€police€officer€filedÐ R¢ Ðapplications€for€benefits€with€the€city.€€When€the€city€denied€the€applications,€the€employees€filedÐ ;‹ Ðappeals€to€the€On„the„Job€Injury€Appeals€Panel€which€affirmed€the€cityððs€denial€of€benefits.€€EachÐ $t Ðemployee€appealed€the€panelððs€determination€to€the€Chancery€Court€of€Shelby€County€by€filing€aÐ  ] ÐPetition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€seeking€review€under€a€statutory€writ€of€certiorari€or,€in€theÐ öF Ðalternative,€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.€€The€chancellor€reversed€the€panelððs€decision€and€heldÐ ß/ Ðthat,€pursuant€to€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€€proceedings€before€the€panel€are€subjectÐ È Ðto€the€contested€case€procedures€set€forth€in€the€Tennessee€Uniform€Administrative€Procedures€Act.€Ð ± ÐIn€addition,€the€chancellor€held€that,€pursuant€to€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€judicialÐ šê Ðreview€of€the€panelððs€decision€is€neither€by€common€law€or€statutory€writ,€but€review€must€beÐ ƒÓ Ðconducted€in€accordance€with€section€4„5„322€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€The€city€appealed€theÐ l¼ Ðchancery€courtððs€ruling€to€this€Court€arguing€that€the€chancellor€erred€in€applying€section€27„9„114Ð U¥ Ðof€the€Tennessee€Code€to€the€panel.€€We€reverse€the€chancery€courtððs€ruling.€€Ð >Ž ÐÌÌÔ#†XÚoX XX'^ #ÔÔ#†îkVîXXÚo{#ÔÔ‡XÚoXîîkVÔÌÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Reversedó óÐ Ë"" ÐÌòòÔ#†îkVîàXÚo- #ÔÔ‡XÚoXXîkVÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,óóÐ ž$î$ Ðand€òòHolly€M.€Kirby,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ‡%× % ÐÌSam€L.€Crain,€Jr.,€Memphis,€TN,€for€AppellantÐ Y'©"' ÐÌTimothy€Taylor,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellee€Roy€L.€TidwellÐ +){$) ÐÌMark€Allen,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellees€Richard€Coggins,€et€alÐ ý*M&+ ÐÌò òÌÐ ¹- ).ý Ðà@55'ìàOPINIONó óÔ#†îkVîXXÚoß #ÔÔ‡XÚoXîîkVԈР° ÐÌò òÔ‡X'^ XXXÚoÔà@ûûìàFacts€and€Procedural€HistoryˆÐ ƒÓ ÐÌÌó óà  àThe€Appellees€(hereinafter€ð ðthe€Appelleesðð€or€ð ðthe€Employeesðð)€consist€of€thirteenÐ A ‘ Ðfirefighters€currently€or€previously€employed€with€the€City€of€Memphis€Fire€Services€Division€andÐ * z Ðone€police€officer€employed€with€the€City€of€Memphis€Police€Department€(hereinafter€collectivelyÐ  c Ðreferred€to€as€ð ðthe€Cityðð).€€During€the€course€of€their€employment€with€the€City,€each€Employee€wasÐ ü L Ðdiagnosed€with€an€illness€or€disease€each€Employee€claimed€was€caused€by€his€or€her€employmentÐ å 5  Ðwith€the€City.€€The€City€has€elected€to€not€be€subject€to€the€Tennessee€Workersðð€Compensation€LawÐ Î   Ðpursuant€to€section€50„6„106(5)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Instead,€the€City,€pursuant€to€its€personnelÐ ·  Ðmanual,€established€an€On€the€Job€Injury€(ð ðOJIðð)€Program€setting€forth€the€policies€and€proceduresÐ  ð  Ðgoverning€application€for€OJI€b(enefits,€an€employeeððs€entitlement€to€OJI€benefits,€and€appeals€ofÐ ‰Ù  Ðthe€Cityððs€denial€of€OJI€benefits.€€Ð r  Ðâ âÐ [«  Ðà  àEach€Employee€at€issue€filed€an€application€for€OJI€benefits€with€the€City.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€All€of€the€claimsÐ ° Ðâ âbut€two€were€filed€pursuant€to€section€7„51„201€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€known€as€the€TennesseeÐ ™é ÐHeart€and€Lung€Act.׃] ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€City€has€adopted€a€special€procedure€for€dealing€with€OJI€claims€forÐ ‚Ò Ðbenefits€filed€by€law€enforcement€officers€and€firefighters€under€this€statute.€€Pursuant€to€the€CityððsÐ k» ÐOJI€policy,€the€Cityððs€Risk€Manager,€upon€receiving€an€employeeððs€application€for€benefits,€isÐ T¤ Ðtasked€with€the€responsibility€of€compiling€the€employeeððs€medical€history€for€a€period€of€ten€yearsÐ =  Ðpreceding€the€application€date,€results€of€the€pre„employment€physical€examination,€and€a€copy€ofÐ & v Ðthe€official€job€description€for€the€employeeððs€position.€€These€records€are€then€forwarded€to€a€panelÐ  _ Ðconsisting€of€three€physicians,€one€of€whom€performs€a€physical€examination€of€the€employee.€€TheÐ ø H Ðpanel€of€physicians€seeks€ð ðto€determine€within€a€reasonable€degree€of€medical€certainty€the€primaryÐ á 1  Ðcause€of€the€Employeeððs€illness.ðð€€The€panel€submits€its€written€findings€to€the€Cityððs€Risk€ManagerÐ Ê   Ðwho€either€approves€or€denies€the€employeeððs€application€for€OJI€benefits.€€In€the€instant€case,€theÐ ³  ÐCity€denied€each€Employeeððs€application€for€OJI€benefits.€Ð œì  ÐÌà  àPursuant€to€the€Cityððs€OJI€Program€policy,€each€Employee€filed€an€appeal€to€the€OJI€AppealsÐ n¾  ÐPanel€to€contest€the€Cityððs€denial€of€benefits.€€The€OJI€Appeals€Panel€consists€of€the€Cityððs€RiskÐ W§  ÐManager,€the€Cityððs€Director€of€Finance€or€designee,€and€the€Cityððs€Attorney€or€designee.€€TheÐ @ ÐEmployees€were€permitted€to€have€their€union€representative€present€at€the€hearing€before€the€OJIÐ )y ÐAppeals€Panel,€but€OJI€Program€policy€did€not€permit€the€Employees€to€have€legal€counsel€representÐ b Ðthem€at€the€hearings.€€The€OJI€Appeals€Panel€affirmed€the€Cityððs€denial€of€OJI€benefits€to€each€ofÐ ûK Ðthe€Employees.€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àThe€Employees€subsequently€filed€individual€Petitions€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€with€theÐ ¶ ÐChancery€Court€of€Shelby€County€seeking€a€review€of€the€decision€of€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€in€theirÐ Ÿï Ðrespective€cases.׃§ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×.€€In€each€case,€the€Employees€sought€review€of€the€decision€of€the€OJI€AppealsÐ ˆØ ÐPanel€under€a€statutory€writ€of€certiorari€or,€in€the€alternative,€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.€€TheÐ qÁ Ðchancery€court€issued€a€writ€in€each€case€ordering€that€the€administrative€record€be€produced€forÐ ° Ðreview.€€The€City€filed€an€answer€to€each€petition€contesting€that€the€proper€method€of€review€in€theÐ ™é Ðchancery€court€was€by€statutory€writ€of€certiorari.€€The€City€also€filed€a€motion€in€response€to€eachÐ ‚Ò Ðpetition€seeking€partial€dismissal€of€the€petitions€to€the€extent€they€sought€review€under€a€statutoryÐ k» Ðwrit€of€certiorari.€€For€purposes€of€the€Cityððs€motions,€the€chancery€court€consolidated€theÐ T¤ ÐEmployeesðð€petitions€and€held€a€hearing€on€September€18,€2003.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€hearing,Ð =  Ðthe€chancellor€ordered€the€parties€to€submit€proposed€Findings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€forÐ & v Ðreview.€€The€chancellor€subsequently€granted€the€Cityððs€motions€excluding€review€under€theÐ  _ Ðstatutory€writ€of€certiorari.€Ð ø H ÐÌà  àOn€December€11,€2003,€the€chancellor€entered€judgments€in€favor€of€the€firefightersÐ Ê   Ðincorporating€the€Findings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€submitted€by€the€firefighters.€€Likewise,Ð ³  Ðon€December€12,€2003,€the€chancellor€entered€a€judgment€in€favor€of€the€sole€police€officerÐ œì  Ðincorporating€his€proposed€Findings€of€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€into€the€judgment.€€TheÐ …Õ  Ðchancery€court,€by€incorporating€the€findings€proposed€by€the€Employees,€made€the€followingÐ n¾  Ðconclusions€of€law:€(1)€Section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€governing€review€of€the€rulingsÐ W§  Ðof€boards€and€commissions,€applies€to€the€decisions€of€the€Cityððs€OJI€Appeals€Panel;€(2)€The€properÐ @ Ðmethod€of€review€of€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€decisions,€therefore,€is€neither€by€common€law€orÐ )y Ðstatutory€writ€of€certiorari,€but€review€must€be€conducted€in€conformity€with€section€4„5„322€of€theÐ b ÐUniform€Administrative€Procedures€Act€(ð ðUAPAðð);€and€(3)€Proceedings€before€the€OJI€AppealsÐ ûK ÐPanel€must€be€conducted€in€accordance€with€the€contested€case€procedures€set€forth€in€the€UniformÐ ä4 ÐAdministrative€Procedures€Act,€section€4„5„301€òòet€seqóó.€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Since€the€OJIÐ Í ÐAppeals€Panel€did€not€conduct€the€proceedings€in€accordance€with€the€procedures€outlined€in€theÐ ¶ ÐUAPA,€the€chancery€court€reversed€the€decision€of€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€in€each€case€and€orderedÐ Ÿï Ðthe€City€to€grant€each€Employee€OJI€benefits€associated€with€their€respective€claims.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€City€subsequently€filed€timely€notices€of€appeal€in€each€case€to€this€Court.€€€PursuantÐ Zª Ðto€Rule€16€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,€this€Court€granted€the€Joint€Motion€forÐ C“ ÐConsolidation€of€Appeals€filed€by€the€parties€after€finding€that€the€individual€appeals€presentedÐ ,| Ðcommon€issues€of€law.€€(Order,€Jan.€21,€2004).€€Accordingly,€we€are€presented,€by€all€parties€to€theÐ e Ðpresent€appeal,€€with€the€following€issues€for€review:Ð þN ÐÌI.à0  àWhether€the€chancery€court€erred€in€ruling€that€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ð!   Ðapplies€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€of€the€City€of€Memphis,€specifically:й" !(#(# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àWhether€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€is€a€Civil€Service€Board,€and€Ð¢#ò"` (#` (# Ðà  àB.à0 ` àWhether€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€sits€as€a€Civil€Service€Board€because€its€decisionsÐ ‹$Û# Ðaffect€ð ðemployment€statusðð;€and€Ðt%Ä $` (#` (# ÐII.à0  àShould€this€Court€find€that€the€contested€case€procedures€of€the€Uniform€AdministrativeÐ ]&­!% ÐProcedures€Act€do€apply€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel,€whether€the€chancery€court€erred€inÐ F'–"& Ðentering€judgment€for€the€Employees€rather€than€remanding€for€hearings€conducted€inÐ /(#' Ðaccordance€with€the€applicable€procedural€standards.€€Ð)h$((#(# ÐÌFor€the€reasons€set€forth€herein,€we€reverse€the€decision€of€the€chancery€court.€€Ð ê*:&* ÐÐ Ó+#'+ ÐÓ  Óò òStandard€of€ReviewÐ ° ÐÌó óÓ  Óà0  àOn€appeal,€the€facts€in€these€consolidated€cases€are€not€in€dispute€since€both€the€City€and€Ð„Ô(#(# ÐEmployees€agree€that€the€procedures€used€by€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€did€not€comply€with€theÐ m½ Ðcontested€case€procedures€found€in€the€UAPA.€€This€Court€is€confronted€in€this€case€with€issuesÐ V¦ Ðinvolving€the€interpretation€of€statutory€language.€€ð ðConstruction€of€a€statute€is€a€question€of€lawÐ ?  Ðwhich€we€review€òòde€novoóó,€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.ðð€€òòGleaves€v.€Checker€Cab€TransitÐ ( x ÐCorp.,€Incóó.,€15€S.W.3d€799,€802€(Tenn.€2000)€(citing€òòMyint€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Coóó.,€970€S.W.2d€920,€924Ð  a Ð(Tenn.€1998));€òòsee€also€Union€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonóó,€854€S.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993)€(citingÐ ú J ÐòòEstate€of€Adkins€v.€White€Consol.€Indus.,€Incóó.,€788€S.W.2d€815,€817€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989));€òòATS,Ð ã 3  ÐInc.€v.€Kentóó,€27€S.W.3d€923,€924€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð Ì   ÐÌà  àIn€construing€statutory€language,€we€are€mindful€of€the€following€standards€adopted€by€theÐ žî  Ðcourts€of€this€state€which€aid€us€in€this€task:Ð ‡×  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àA€ð ðbasic€rule€of€statutory€construction€is€to€ascertain€and€giveÐ Y©  Ðeffect€to€the€intention€and€purpose€of€the€legislature.ððòò€€Carson€CreekÐ B’ ÐVacation€Resorts,€Inc.€v.€State€Depððt€of€Revenueóó,€865€S.W.2d€1,€2Ð +{ Ð(Tenn.€1993).€€In€determining€legislative€intent€and€purpose,€a€courtÐ d Ðmust€not€ð ðunduly€restrict[€]€or€expand[€]€a€statuteððs€coverage€beyondÐ ýM Ðits€intended€scope.ðð€€òòWorley€v.€Weigelððs,€Incóó.,€919€S.W.2d€589,€593Ð æ6 Ð(Tenn.€1996)€(quoting€òòOwens€v.€Stateóó,€908€S.W.2d€923,€926€(Tenn.Ð Ï Ð1995)).€€Rather,€a€court€ascertains€a€statuteððs€purpose€from€the€plainÐ ¸ Ðand€ordinary€meaning€of€its€language,òò€see€Westland€Community€AssððnÐ ¡ñ Ðv.€Knox€Countyóó,€948€S.W.2d€281,€283€(Tenn.€1997),€ð ðwithout€forcedÐ ŠÚ Ðor€subtle€construction€that€would€limit€or€extend€the€meaning€of€theÐ sà Ðlanguage.ðð€€òòCarson€Creek€Vacation€Resorts,€Incóó.,€865€S.W.2d€at€2.Ð \¬ Ðà ¸ àWhen,€however,€a€statute€is€without€contradiction€orÐ E• Ðambiguity,€there€is€no€need€to€force€its€interpretation€or€construction,Ð .~ Ðand€courts€are€not€at€liberty€to€depart€from€the€words€of€the€statute.€Ð g ÐòòHawks€v.€City€of€Westmorelandóó,€960€S.W.2d€10,€16€(Tenn.€1997).€Ð  P ÐMoreover,€if€ð ðthe€language€contained€within€the€four€corners€of€aÐ é 9 Ðstatute€is€plain,€clear,€and€unambiguous,€the€duty€of€the€courts€isÐ Ò!"  Ðsimple€and€obvious,€ððto€say€òòsic€lex€scriptaóó,€and€obey€it.ðððð€òòIdóó.€(quotingÐ »" ! ÐòòMiller€v.€Childressóó,òò€óó21€Tenn.€(2€Hum.)€320,€321ð!ð22€(1841)).€Ð ¤#ô" ÐTherefore,€ð ðif€the€words€of€a€statute€plainly€mean€one€thing€theyÐ $Ý# Ðcannot€be€given€another€meaning€by€judicial€construction.ðð€€òòHenry€v.Ð v%Æ $ ÐWhiteóó,€194€Tenn.€192,€250€S.W.2d€70,€72€(1952).€€Ð _&¯!% Ðà ¸ àFinally,€it€is€not€for€the€courts€to€alter€or€amend€a€statute.€€òòSeeÐ H'˜"& ÐTown€of€Mount€Carmel€v.€City€of€Kingsportóó,€217€Tenn.€298,€306,€397Ð 1(#' ÐS.W.2d€379,€382€(1965);€òòsee€also€Richardson€v.€Tennessee€Bd.€ofÐ )j$( ÐDentistryóó,€913€S.W.2d€446,€453€(Tenn.€1995);€òòManahan€v.€Stateóó,€188Ð *S%) ÐTenn.€394,€397,€219€S.W.2d€900,€901€(1949).€€Moreover,€a€courtÐ ì*<&* Ðmust€not€question€the€ð ðreasonableness€of€a€statute€or€substitute€[its]Ð Õ+%'+ Ðown€policy€judgments€for€those€of€the€legislature.ðð€€òòBellSouthÐ ° ÐTelecomms.,€Inc.€v.€Greeróó,€972€S.W.2d€663,€673€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ™é Ð1997).€€Instead,€courts€must€ð ðpresume€that€the€legislature€says€in€aÐ ‚Ò Ðstatute€what€it€means€and€means€in€a€statute€what€it€says€there.ðð€€òòIdóó.€Ð k» ÐAccordingly,€courts€must€construe€a€statute€as€it€is€written.€€òòSeeÐ T¤ ÐJackson€v.€Jacksonóó,€186€Tenn.€337,€342,€210€S.W.2d€332,€334Ð =  Ð(1948).€€Ð & v ÐÌÓ °Ë6ÓÓ °Ù6ÓòòGleavesóó,€15€S.W.3d€at€802ð!ð03.€€We€also€presume€that€the€legislature€has€ð ðknowledge€of€the€stateÐ ø H Ðof€the€law€on€the€subject€under€consideration€at€the€time€it€enacts€legislation.ðð€€òòHise€v.€Stateóó,€968Ð á 1  ÐS.W.2d€852,€854ð!ð55€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)€(citing€òòJenkins€v.€Loudon€Countyóó,€736€S.W.2d€603,€608Ð Ê   Ð(Tenn.€1987);€òòEquitable€Life€Assurance€Co.€v.€Odleóó,€547€S.W.2d€939,€941€(Tenn.€1997)).€Ð ³  ÐÌÓ  Óò òWrits€of€Certiorari€and€the€UAPAó ó€Ð …Õ  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àOur€analysis€in€this€case€must€begin€with€an€examination€of€the€progression€of€the€law€whichÐ Zª  Ðled€to€the€current€conflict.€€The€Employees€sought€review€of€the€decision€of€the€OJI€Appeal€PanelÐ C“ Ðby€filing€a€ð ðPetition€for€Writ€of€Certiorariðð€in€the€chancery€court€below.€€The€Employees€assertedÐ ,| Ðin€their€petitions€that€the€chancery€court€had€jurisdiction€over€the€cases€ð ðpursuant€to€Tenn.€CodeÐ e ÐAnn.€ðð€27„8„104,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€certiorari€is€authorized€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€27„8„101,€27„8„102€and€27„9„Ð þN Ð114.ðð€€Ð ç7 Ðà  àð ðIn€Tennessee,€two€types€of€certiorari€exist.ðð€€òòFairhaven€Corp.€v.€Tenn.€Health€FacilitiesÐ Ð  ÐCommððnóó,€566€S.W.2d€885,€886€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1976).€€Section€27„8„101€provides€for€review€underÐ ¹  Ðthe€common„law€writ€of€certiorari,€stating:€Ð ¢ò ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓThe€writ€of€certiorari€may€be€granted€whenever€authorized€by€law,Ð tÄ Ðand€also€in€all€cases€where€an€inferior€tribunal,€board,€or€officerÐ ]­ Ðexercising€judicial€functions€has€exceeded€the€jurisdiction€conferred,Ð F– Ðor€is€acting€illegally,€when,€in€the€judgment€of€the€court,€there€is€noÐ / Ðother€plain,€speedy,€or€adequate€remedy.€€This€section€does€not€applyÐ h Ðto€actions€governed€by€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.Ð  Q Ðâ âÐ ê : ÐÓ °3JÓÓ °%JÓòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„8„101€(2003).€€Section€27„8„102€provides€for€review€under€the€statutory€writÐ ° Ðof€certiorari€and€is€not€at€issue€in€this€case.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð ™é Ðâ âÌà  àð ðCommon€law€certiorari€is€available€where€the€court€reviews€an€administrative€decision€inÐ k» Ðwhich€that€agency€is€acting€in€a€judicial€or€quasi„judicial€capacity.ðð€€òòDavison€v.€Carróó,€659€S.W.2dÐ T¤ Ð361,€363€(Tenn.€1983);€òòsee€also€Case€v.€Shelby€County€Civil€Serv.€Merit€Bdóó.,€98€S.W.3d€167,€171Ð =  Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002).€€The€scope€of€judicial€review€under€the€common€law€writ€is€limited€to€theÐ & v Ðfollowing:Ð  _ ÐÓ °ÓÓ °ÓGenerally,€under€common€law€certiorari,€the€scope€of€review€isÐ ø H Ðlimited€to€the€record€to€determine€as€a€question€of€law€whether€thereÐ á 1  Ðis€any€material€evidence€to€support€the€agencyððs€findings.€€However,Ð Ê   Ðnew€evidence€is€admissible€on€the€issue€of€whether€the€administrativeÐ ³  Ðbody€exceeded€its€jurisdiction€or€acted€illegally,€capriciously€orÐ œì  Ðarbitrarily.€€Ð …Õ  ÐÌÓ °×OÓÓ °ÉOÓòòIdóó.€€Thus,€the€trial€court€may€reverse€or€modify€the€action€of€the€administrative€agency€when€thatÐ W§  Ðagency€ð ðacted€in€violation€of€constitutional€or€statutory€provisions€or€in€excess€of€its€own€statutoryÐ @ Ðauthority;€has€followed€unlawful€procedure€or€been€guilty€of€arbitrary€or€capricious€action;€or€hasÐ )y Ðacted€without€material€evidence€to€support€its€decision.ðð€€òòWatts€v.€Civil€Serv.€Bd.€for€Columbiaóó,€606Ð b ÐS.W.2d€274,€277€(Tenn.€1980);€òòsee€also€Gross€v.€Gillessóó,€26€S.W.3d€488,€492€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€Ð ûK Ðð ðThe€scope€of€review€by€the€appellate€courts€is€no€broader€or€more€comprehensive€than€that€of€theÐ ä4 Ðtrial€court€with€respect€to€evidence€presented€before€the€Board.ðð€€òòWattsóó,€606€S.W.2d€at€277.€€Ð Í ÐÌà  àThe€legislature€promulgated€the€UAPA€ð ðto€clarify€and€bring€uniformity€to€the€procedure€ofÐ Ÿï Ðòòstateóó€administrative€agencies€and€judicial€review€of€their€determination.ðð€€òòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€4„5„Ð ˆØ Ð103(a)€(2003)€(emphasis€added).€€The€legislature€also€provided€that€the€UAPAððs€provisions€ð ðshallÐ qÁ Ðnot€apply€to€.€.€.€€county€and€municipal€boards,€commissions,€committees,€department€or€officers.ðð€Ð Zª ÐòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€4„5„106(a)€(2003).€€ð ðA€person€who€is€aggrieved€by€a€final€decision€in€aÐ C“ Ðcontested€case€is€entitled€to€judicial€review€under€[the€UAPA].ðð€€òòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€4„5„322(a)(1)Ð ,| Ð(2003).€€A€ð ðContested€caseðð€is€defined€by€the€UAPA€as€ð ða€proceeding€.€.€.€in€which€the€legal€rights,Ð e Ðduties€or€privileges€of€a€party€are€required€by€any€statute€or€constitutional€provision€to€be€determinedÐ þN Ðby€an€agency€after€an€opportunity€for€a€hearing.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„102(3)€(2003).€€A€personÐ ç 7 Ðcan€request€judicial€review€ð ðby€filing€a€petition€in€the€chancery€court€of€Davidson€County,€unlessÐ ° Ðanother€court€is€specified€by€statute[,]€.€.€.€within€sixty€(60)€days€after€the€entry€of€the€agencyððs€finalÐ ™é Ðorder€thereon.ðð€€òòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€4„5„322(b)(1)€(2003).€€When€reviewing€an€agencyððs€decision,Ð ‚Ò Ðthe€chancery€court€is€bound€by€the€following€standard€of€review:Ð k» ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Ó(h)€The€court€may€affirm€the€decision€of€the€agency€or€remand€theÐ =  Ðcase€for€further€proceedings.€€The€court€may€reverse€or€modify€theÐ & v Ðdecision€if€the€rights€of€the€petitioner€have€been€prejudiced€becauseÐ  _ Ðthe€administrative€findings,€inferences,€conclusions€or€decisions€are:Ð ø H ÐÓ °™[ÓÓ ÓÓ °§[ÓÓ Ó(1)€In€violation€of€constitutional€or€statutoryÐ á 1  Ðprovisions;Ð Ê   Ð(2)€In€excess€of€the€statutory€authority€of€the€agency;Ð ³  Ð(3)€Made€upon€unlawful€procedure;Ð œì  Ð(4)€Arbitrary€or€capricious€or€characterized€by€abuseÐ …Õ  Ðof€discretion€or€clearly€unwarranted€exercise€ofÐ n¾  Ðdiscretion;€orÐ W§  Ð(5)€Unsupported€by€the€evidence€which€is€bothÐ @ Ðsubstantial€and€material€in€light€of€the€entire€record.Ð )y ÐÓ I]ÓÓ )]ÓÓ ûÓÓ °ÓIn€determining€the€substantiality€of€evidence,€the€court€shall€takeÐ b Ðinto€account€whatever€the€record€fairly€detracts€from€its€weight,€butÐ ûK Ðthe€court€shall€not€substitute€its€judgment€for€that€of€the€agency€asÐ ä4 Ðto€the€weight€of€the€evidence€on€questions€of€fact.Ð Í ÐÓ °¯_ÓÓ °ÙcûÓÓ °ÁcÓÌÓ °5aÓÓ û°#aÓòòÓ ûÓTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€4„5„322(h)€(2003).€€€Ð Ÿï ÐÌà  àAt€issue€in€this€case€is€the€present€statutory€language€found€in€section€27„9„114€of€theÐ qÁ ÐTennessee€Code.€€Prior€to€1989,€however,€section€27„9„114€provided€that:Ð Zª ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓNo€court€of€record€of€this€state€shall€entertain€any€proceedingÐ ,| Ðinvolving€the€civil€service€status€of€a€county€or€a€municipal€employeeÐ e Ðwhen€such€proceeding€in€the€nature€of€an€appeal€òòfrom€a€ruling€of€cityÐ þN Ðor€county€official€or€board€which€affects€the€employment€status€of€aÐ ç 7 Ðcounty€or€city€employeeóó,€except€such€proceeding€be€one€ofòò€commonÐ Î!  Ðlaw€certiorarióó.€€Any€such€proceeding€shall€be€heard€by€a€judge€orÐ ·"! Ðchancellor€without€the€intervention€of€a€jury.€€This€section€shallÐ  #ð" Ðsupersede€any€displaced€provisions€of€city€charters€to€the€contrary.€Ð ‰$Ù# ÐÌÓ °¥bÓÓ °—bÓòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„914€(1984)€(emphasis€added).€€Our€supreme€court€held€that€section€27„9„Ð [&«!% Ð114,€ð ðdealing€exclusively€with€the€employment€status€of€city€and€county€employees,€is€the€exclusiveÐ D'”"& Ðremedy€for€judicial€review€of€administrative€determinations€respecting€the€employment€status€ofÐ -(}#' Ðsuch€employees.ðð€€òòHuddleston€v.€City€of€Murfreesboroóó,€635€S.W.2d€694,€696€(Tenn.€1982);€òòsee€alsoÐ )f$( ÐGaston€v.€Civil€Serv.€Merit€Bd.€of€Shelby€Countyóó,€1986€WL€9964,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€15,Ð ÿ)O%) Ð1986).€€Ð è*8&* ÐÐ Ñ+!'+ Ðà  àAccordingly,€this€Court€applied€the€pre„1989€language€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€TennesseeÐ ° ÐCode€and€held€that€decisions€of€a€municipalityððs€civil€service€commission€were€to€be€judiciallyÐ ™é Ðreviewed€under€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.òò€€See€City€of€Memphis€Civil€Serv.€Commððn€v.€Eullsóó,Ð ‚Ò Ð1988€WL€119291,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€10,€1988);€òòMoore€v.€Civil€Serv.€Commððn€for€the€CityÐ k» Ðof€Memphisóó,€No.€41,€1988€WL€1730,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€12,€1988);€òò€Smith€v.€City€ofÐ T¤ ÐMemphisóó,€1986€WL€9698,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€8,€1986).€€During€the€same€period,€the€courtsÐ =  Ðof€this€state,€also€relying€on€the€language€in€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€reviewed€theÐ & v Ðdecisions€originating€from€other€entities€under€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€as€well.€€òòSeeÐ  _ ÐHuddleston€v.€City€of€Murfreesboroóó,€635€S.W.2d€694,€695€(Tenn.€1982)€(holding€that€judicial€reviewÐ ø H Ðof€the€decision€of€a€city€council€regarding€an€employeeððs€discharge€under€section€27„9„114€of€theÐ á 1  ÐTennessee€Code€was€by€common€law€certiorari);€òòLove€v.€Ret.€Sys.€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€27,Ð Ê   Ð1987€WL€17246,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€21,€1987)€(reviewing€the€cityððs€denial€of€pensionÐ ³  Ðbenefits€to€an€employee€under€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari);€òòState€v.€City€of€Lindenóó,€No.€86„303„Ð œì  ÐII,€1986€WL€13641,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€19,€1986)€(addressing€a€petition€to€rehear€and€statingÐ …Õ  Ðthat€review€of€a€decision€of€the€board€of€mayor€and€alderman€was€by€common€law€writ€of€certiorari);òòÐ n¾  ÐCunningham€v.€Bd.€of€Educ.€for€Grundy€Countyóó,€No.€85„302„II,€1986€WL€10692,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð W§  ÐApp.€Oct.€1,€1986)€(stating€that€the€applicable€standard€of€review€of€a€decision€by€the€board€ofÐ @ Ðeducation€terminating€a€school€employee€was€by€common€law€writ€of€certiorari);€òòWhitten€v.€Tuckeróó,Ð )y Ð1986€WL€4599,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€18,€1986)€(ð ðWe€hold€that€a€review€of€the€City€ofÐ b ÐKnoxville€Board€of€Educationððs€decision€to€fire,€or€not€to€fire,€a€teacher€tenured€under€that€systemÐ ûK Ðis€governed€by€the€provisions€of€T.C.A.€Sec.€27„9„114.ðð);€òòGoodwin€v.€Metro.€Bd.€of€Healthóó,€656Ð ä4 ÐS.W.2d€383,€386€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983)€(reviewing€the€decision€of€a€health€board€to€terminate€anÐ Í Ðemployee€under€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari).òòóóÐ ¶ ÐÌà  àIn€1988,€the€legislature€amended€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€provide,€inÐ ˆØ Ðrelevant€part,€as€follows:€€€Ð qÁ ÐÌò òÓ °ÓÓ °ÓProceedings€involving€certain€public€employeesó ó.Ð C“ ÐÌ(a)(1)òò€óóContested€case€hearings€òòby€civil€service€boards€of€a€county€orÐ h Ðmunicipality€which€affect€the€employment€status€of€a€civil€serviceÐ  Q Ðemployee€óóshall€be€conducted€in€conformity€with€contested€caseÐ è 8 Ðprocedures€under€the€Uniform€Administrative€Procedures€Act,Ð Ñ!!  Ðcompiled€in€title€4,€chapter€5,€part€3.Ð º" ! Ð(2)€The€provisions€of€this€subsection€pertaining€to€hearings€by€civilÐ £#ó" Ðservice€boards€shall€not€apply€to€municipal€utilities€boards€or€civilÐ Œ$Ü# Ðservice€boards€of€counties€organized€under€a€home€rule€charter€formÐ u%Å $ Ðof€government.Ð ^&®!% Ð(b)(1)€Judicial€review€of€decisions€òòby€civil€service€boards€of€a€countyÐ G'—"& Ðor€municipality€which€affects€the€employment€status€of€a€county€orÐ 0(€#' Ðcity€civil€service€employee€óóshall€be€in€conformity€with€the€judicialÐ )g$( Ðreview€standards€under€the€Uniform€Administrative€Procedures€Act,Ð *P%) Ðâ âðð€4„5„322.Ð é*9&* Ð(2)€Petitions€for€judicial€review€of€decisions€by€a€city€or€county€civilÐ ° Ðâ âservice€board€affecting€the€employment€status€of€a€civil€serviceÐ ™é Ðemployee€shall€be€filed€in€the€chancery€court€of€the€county€whereinÐ ‚Ò Ðthe€local€civil€service€board€is€located.Ð k» ÐÌÓ °•sÓÓ °‡sÓòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„9„114€(2003)€(emphasis€added);€òòsee€also€óó1988€òòTenn.€Pub.€Acts€óóCh.€1001;Ð =  ÐòòCity€of€Knoxville€v.€Popejoyóó,€No.€03A01„9104„CH„00148,€1991€WL€276796,€at€*2€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð & v ÐApp.€Dec.€31,€1991).€Ð  _ ÐÌà  àSubsequent€to€the€statutory€amendment€of€section€27„9„114,€this€Court€continued€to€applyÐ á 1  Ðthe€language€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€the€decisions€of€civil€service€boards,€butÐ Ê   Ðwe€reviewed€those€decisions€under€the€standard€of€review€found€in€section€4„5„322€of€the€TennesseeÐ ³  ÐCode.€€òòSeeóó€òòHughey€v.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€M2002„02240„COA„R3„Ð œì  ÐCV,€2003€WL€21849628,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€8,€2003);€òòLien€v.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&Ð …Õ  ÐDavidson€Countyóó,€117€S.W.3d€753,€757€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003);€òòHowell€v.€City€of€Columbiaóó,€No.Ð n¾  ÐM2001„00620„COA„R3„CV,€2002€WL€31322529,€at€*2€n.2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€16,€2002);€òòRobbinsÐ W§  Ðv.€City€of€Johnson€Cityóó,€No.€E2000„02952„COA„R3„CV,€2001€WL€767020,€at€*4ð!ð5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð @ ÐJuly€3,€2001);€òòMack€v.€Civil€Serv.€Commððn€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€02A01„9807„CH„00215,Ð )y Ð1999€WL€250180,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòKnoxville€Utilities€Bd.€v.€Knoxville€Civil€Serv.€MeritÐ b ÐBd.óó,€No.€03A01„9301„CH„00008,€1993€WL€229505,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€28,€1993);€òòCity€ofÐ ûK ÐMemphis€v.€Owensóó,€No.€02A01„9109CH00202,€1992€WL€227561,€at€*6€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.Ð ä4 Ð18,€1992);€òòCity€of€Knoxville€v.€Popejoyóó,€No.€03A01„9104„CH„00148,€1991€WL€276796,€at€*2€(Tenn.Ð Í ÐCt.€App.€Dec.€31,€1991);€òòLockridge€v.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01„A„Ð ¶ Ð019103CH00097,€1991€WL€153316,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€14,€1991);€òòLewis€v.€Metro.€GovððtÐ Ÿï Ðof€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01„A„01„9006CH00220,€1990€WL€205223,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ˆØ ÐApp.€Dec.€18,€1990);€òòState€v.€Civil€Serv.€Commððn€of€the€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€DavidsonÐ qÁ ÐCountyóó,€No.€01„A„01„9002„CH00061,€1990€WL€165073,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€31,€1990).€€€€Ð Zª ÐÌà  àConversely,€many€decisions€rendered€by€this€Court€subsequent€to€the€statutory€amendmentÐ ,| Ðof€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€referenced€the€statute€when€discussing€the€judicialÐ e Ðreview€of€decisions€rendered€by€other€municipal€entities€not€specifically€designated€a€civil€serviceÐ þN Ðboard.€€òòSee€Yates€v.€City€of€Chattanoogaóó,€No.€E2000„02064„COA„R3„CV,€2001€WL€533351,€at€*2Ð ç 7 Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€21,€2001)€(applying€the€amended€statutory€language€to€the€review€of€a€decisionÐ Ð!   Ðby€a€city€council€to€terminate€an€employee);€òòBullard€v.€City€of€Chattanooga€Firemenððs€andÐ ¹" ! ÐPolicemenððs€Ins.€&€Pension€Fundóó,€No.€03A01„9705„CH„00193,€1998€WL€90834,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ¢#ò" ÐApp.€Mar.€3,€1998)€(stating€that€the€amended€language€in€section€27„9„114€applies€to€the€denial€ofÐ ‹$Û# Ðpension€benefits€to€civil€service€employees);€òòStephenson€v.€Town€of€White€Pineóó,€No.€03A01„9705„Ð t%Ä $ ÐCH„00185,€1997€WL€718974,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€13,€1997)€(reviewing€a€decision€by€theÐ ]&­!% Ðtown€council€to€terminate€a€city€employee€under€section€27„9„114);€òòParis€v.€City€of€Lebanon€Pers.Ð F'–"& ÐReview€Bd.óó,€No.€01A01„9702„CH„00054,€1997€WL€607519,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€3,€1997)Ð /(#' Ð(applying€the€amended€language€to€the€review€of€the€decision€of€a€city€personnel€board);€òòHolder€v.Ð )h$( ÐCity€of€Chattanoogaóó,€878€S.W.2d€950,€952€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993)€(rejecting€the€argument€of€theÐ *Q%) Ðappellant€that€a€city€council€did€not€qualify€as€a€ð ðcivil€service€boardðð€under€the€language€in€sectionÐ ê*:&* Ð27„9„114);€òòKendrick€v.€City€of€Chattanooga€Firemenððs€&€Policemenððs€Ins.€&€Pension€Fundóó,€799Ð Ó+#'+ ÐS.W.2d€668,€669€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990)€(referencing€our€decision€in€òòLoveóó€when€discussing€reviewÐ ° Ðof€a€pension€benefit€boardððs€denial€of€pension€benefits€to€an€employee);€òòJones€v.€Pers.€Merit€Bd.€ofÐ ™é Ðthe€City€of€Dyersburgóó,€No.€5,€1998€WL€104697,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€10,€1988)€(reviewing€theÐ ‚Ò Ðcityððs€termination€of€a€fireman€following€an€on„the„job€injury€under€section€27„9„114).€€Ð k» ÐÌà  àOur€research€has€also€identified€decisions€by€this€Court,€subsequent€to€the€1988€amendmentÐ =  Ðto€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€holding€that€the€proper€standard€of€review€of€theÐ & v Ðdecisions€by€agencies€not€expressly€identified€as€a€civil€service€boards€is€by€common€law€certiorari.€Ð  _ ÐòòSee€Pardue€v.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01A01„9707„CH„00312,€1998€WLÐ ø H Ð173208,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€15,€1998)€(stating€that€the€Metropolitan€Benefit€Board€ð ðis€anÐ á 1  Ðagency€of€the€Metropolitan€Government€of€Nashville€and€Davidson€County,€and€the€AdministrativeÐ Ê   ÐProcedures€Act€does€not€cover€ððcounty€and€municipal€boards,€commissions,€committees,Ð ³  Ðdepartments€or€offices.ðððð);€òòDavis€v.€Hamilton€County€Bd.€of€Educ.óó,€No.€03A01„9504„CH„00135,Ð œì  Ð1995€WL€507796,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€29,€1995)€(reviewing€a€decision€by€the€board€ofÐ …Õ  Ðeducation€to€terminate€a€bus€driver,€and€alluding€to€the€proper€standard€of€review€being€by€commonÐ n¾  Ðlaw€writ€of€certiorari).€€Ð W§  ÐÌà  àIn€several€instances,€this€Court€stated€that€review€of€decisions€falling€under€section€27„9„114Ð )y Ðof€the€Tennessee€Code€are€no€longer€by€common€law€writ€of€certiorari,€but€the€proper€method€ofÐ b Ðappeal€is€by€filing€a€petition€for€judicial€review€pursuant€to€section€4„5„322€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€Ð ûK ÐòòSee€Maasikas€v.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€M2002„02652„COA„R3„CV,Ð ä4 Ð2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€889,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€22,€2003);€òòWoods€v.€Metro.€Govððt€ofÐ Í ÐNashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€M2001„03143„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€858,€atÐ ¶ Ð*4ð!ð5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€10,€2003);€òòStephenson€v.€Town€of€White€Pineóó,€No.€03A01„9705„CH„Ð Ÿï Ð00185,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€787,€at€*3ð!ð4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€13,€1997);€òòKnoxville€Util.€Bd.Ð ˆØ Ðv.€Knoxville€Civil€Serv.€Merit€Bd.óó,€No.€03A01„9301„CH„00008,€1993€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€438,€at€*24Ð qÁ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€28,€1993);€òòCity€of€Memphis€v.€Owensóó,€No.€02A01„9109„CH„00202,€1992€Tenn.Ð Zª ÐApp.€LEXIS€784,€at€*1€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€18,€1992);€òòCity€of€Knoxville€v.€Popejoyóó,€No.Ð C“ Ð03A01„9104„CH„00148,€1991€WL€276796,€at€*2€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€31,€1991).€€Ð ,| Ðà  àÌÓ  Óò òWhether€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€applies€to€the€OJI€Appeals€PanelÐ þN Ðòòóóó óÌÓ  Óà  àHaving€set€forth€the€legal€landscape€which€led€to€the€current€dispute,€we€now€turn€ourÐ Ñ!!  Ðattention€to€the€issues€presented€on€appeal.€€We€begin€by€noting€that€we€agree€with€the€chanceryÐ º" ! Ðcourt€in€that,€by€amending€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€the€legislature€madeÐ £#ó" Ðproceedings€before€a€ð ðcivil€service€board,ðð€and€judicial€review€of€those€decisions,€subject€to€theÐ Œ$Ü# Ðprovisions€of€the€UAPA.€€Therefore,€review€of€the€decisions€of€a€civil€service€board€is€no€longer€byÐ u%Å $ Ðcommon€law€writ€of€certiorari,€but€by€filing€a€petition€for€review€under€section€4„5„322€of€theÐ ^&®!% ÐTennessee€Code.€€òòSee€Stephenson€v.€Town€of€White€Pineóó,€No.€03A01„9705„CH„00185,€1997€WLÐ G'—"& Ð718974,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€13,€1997);€òòParis€v.€City€of€Lebanon€Pers.€Review€Bd.óó,€No.Ð 0(€#' Ð01A01„9702„CH„00054,€1997€WL€607519,€at€*5ð!ð6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€3,€1997);€òòCity€of€MemphisÐ )i$( Ðv.€Owensóó,€No.€02A01„9109CH00202,€1992€WL€227561,€at€*6€n.1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€18,€1992).€Ð *R%) ÐÌÐ Ô+$'+ Ðà  àIn€those€instances€where€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€is€applicable,€our€supremeÐ ° Ðcourt€has€provided€that€this€statute€ð ðis€the€exclusive€remedy€for€judicial€review€of€administrativeÐ ™é Ðdeterminations€respecting€the€employment€status€of€such€employees.ðð€€òòHuddleston€v.€City€ofÐ ‚Ò ÐMurfreesboroóó,€635€S.W.2d€694,€696€(Tenn.€1982).€€As€a€threshold€matter,€we€are€asked€to€determineÐ k» Ðwhether€the€chancery€court€erred€in€applying€the€applicable€statute€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel.€€TheÐ T¤ ÐCity€argues€that€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€does€not€constitute€a€ð ðcivil€service€boardðð€as€that€term€is€usedÐ =  Ðin€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€therefore,€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€isÐ & v Ðinapplicable€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel.€€Accordingly,€the€City€asserts€that€the€proper€€method€ofÐ  _ Ðjudicial€review€is€to€review€decisions€by€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€under€the€common€law€writ€ofÐ ø H Ðcertiorari.€Ð á 1  ÐÌà  àð ðThe€primary€rule€of€statutory€construction€is€that€the€intention€of€the€legislature€mustÐ ³  Ðprevail.ðð€€òòLucchesi€v.€Alcohol€&€Licensing€Commððn€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€70€S.W.3d€49,€55€(Tenn.Ð œì  ÐCt.€App.€2001).€€When€presented€with€issues€of€statutory€construction,€we€begin€in€the€first€instanceÐ …Õ  Ðby€examining€the€language€employed€by€the€legislature€as€follows:€€Ð n¾  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓCourts€are€restricted€to€natural€and€ordinary€meaning€of€the€languageÐ @ Ðused€by€the€legislature€in€the€statute,€unless€an€ambiguity€requiresÐ )y Ðresort€elsewhere€to€ascertain€legislative€intent.ðð€€òòAustin€v.€MemphisÐ b ÐPub.€Co.óó,€655€S.W.2d€146,€148€(Tenn.€1983).€€A€statute€is€ambiguousÐ ûK Ðif€it€is€capable€of€conveying€more€than€one€meaning.€€òòIn€reÐ ä4 ÐConservatorship€of€Claytonóó,€914€S.W.2d€84,€90€(Tenn.€App.€1995).€Ð Í ÐWe€must€consider€the€language€employed€in€context€of€the€entireÐ ¶ Ðstatute€without€any€forced€or€subtle€construction€which€would€extendÐ Ÿï Ðor€limit€its€meaning.€€òòWilson€v.€Johnson€Countyóó,€879€S.W.2d€807,Ð ˆØ Ð809€(Tenn.€1994).€€Furthermore,€we€are€to€assume€that€the€legislatureÐ qÁ Ðused€each€word€in€the€statute€purposely,€and€that€the€use€of€theseÐ Zª Ðwords€conveys€some€intent€and€has€a€meaning€and€purpose.€€òòLocustóó,Ð C“ Ð912€S.W.2d€at€718.€€Where€words€of€the€statute€are€clear€and€plainÐ ,| Ðand€fully€express€the€legislatureððs€intent,€there€is€no€room€to€resort€toÐ e Ðauxiliary€rules€of€construction,€òòRoberson€v.€University€of€Tennesseeóó,Ð þN Ð912€S.W.2d€746,€747€(Tenn.€App.€1995),€and€we€need€only€enforceÐ ç 7 Ðthe€statute€as€written,€òòClaytonóó,€914€S.W.2d€at€90.Ð Ð!   ÐÌÓ °V¢ÓÓ °H¢Ó€òòBrowder€v.€Morrisóó,€975€S.W.2d€308,€311€(Tenn.€1998).€€This€Court€is€not€authorized€to€amend€aÐ ¢#ò" Ðstatute,€òòLimbaugh€v.€Coffee€Medical€Centeróó,€59€S.W.3d€73,€83€(Tenn.€2001),€nor€is€it€our€provinceÐ ‹$Û# Ðto€impose€our€own€judgment€over€that€of€the€legislature,òò€BellSouth€Telecommunications,€Inc.€v.Ð t%Ä $ ÐGreeróó,€972€S.W.2d€663,€673€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€Ð ]&­!% Ðà  àÌà  àThe€City€correctly€identifies€the€absence€of€a€definition€of€ð ðcivil€service€boardðð€in€sectionÐ /(#' Ð27„9„101€òòet€seqóó.€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€òòHolder€v.€City€of€Chattanoogaóó,€878€S.W.2d€950,€952Ð )h$( Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€The€City€urges€this€Court€to€apply€the€meaning€of€that€term€as€described€inÐ *Q%) Ðsection€6„54„114,€which€provides:Ð ê*:&* ÐÐ Ó+#'+ ÐÓ °ÓÓ °Óò òMunicipal€civil€service€boardð!ð€Ð ° ÐMembersð!ðQualificationsð!ðAppointmentó ó.Ð šê ÐÌ.€.€.€.€Ð o¿ ÐÌ(b)€€Notwithstanding€any€provision€of€any€municipal€charter€orÐ A ‘ Ðordinance€to€the€contrary,€all€members€of€any€municipal€civil€serviceÐ * z Ðboard€in€any€county€with€a€population€greater€than€three€hundredÐ  c Ðthousand€(300,000),€created€by€ordinance€or€charter,€shall€beÐ ü L Ðappointed€by€the€mayor€of€the€municipality€which€the€board€serves.€Ð å 5  ÐSuch€appointments€shall€be€subject€to€confirmation€by€the€municipalÐ Î   Ðlegislative€body.€€At€least€one€(1)€member€shall€be€a€woman€and€oneÐ ·  Ð(1)€member€shall€be€a€minority€citizen.€€The€provisions€of€this€sectionÐ  ð  Ðshall€not€apply€to€municipalities€with€a€mayor„alderman€form€ofÐ ‰Ù  Ðgovernment.€€Ð r  ÐÌÓ °¬ÓÓ °÷«ÓòòÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð6„54„114(b)€(2003).€€When€the€legislature€amended€section€27„9„114€of€theÐ D” ÐTennessee€Code,€it€chose€to€remove€the€broad€language€ð ðcity€or€county€official€or€boardðð€andÐ -} Ðreplace€it€with€the€specific€phrase€ð ðcivil€service€board.ðð€€òòSeeóó€1988€òòTenn.€Pub.€Acts€óóCh.€1001.€Ð f Ðð ðWhen€approaching€statutory€text,€courts€must€.€.€.€presume€that€the€legislature€says€in€a€statuteÐ ÿO Ðwhat€it€means€and€means€in€a€statute€what€it€says€there.ðð€€òòBellSouth€Telecomm.,€Inc.€v.€Greeróó,Ð è8 Ð972€S.W.2d€663,€673€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997)€(citations€omitted).€€Ð Ñ! ÐÌÓ  Óà  àBoth€parties€agree€that€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€does€not€comply€with€section€6„54„114€of€theÐ £ó ÐTennessee€Code.€€The€OJI€Appeals€Panel€was€not€created€by€city€charter,€and€its€members€are€notÐ ŒÜ Ðappointed€by€the€mayor€and€confirmed€by€the€city€council.€€When€construing€statutory€language,€weÐ uÅ Ðmust€seek€to€avoid€a€construction€which€would€be€repugnant€to€another€section€of€the€TennesseeÐ ^® ÐCode€and€thereby€create€a€conflict.€€òòSee€Williams€v.€Thomas€Jefferson€Ins.€Co.óó,€385€S.W.2d€908,Ð G— Ð910ð!ð11€(Tenn.€1965)€(citations€omitted).€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€is€notÐ 0€ Ða€ð ðcivil€service€board,ðð€as€that€term€was€intended€to€be€used€by€the€legislature,€under€section€27„9„Ð i Ð114€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Ð  R Ѐ€Ð ë ; Ðà  àThe€Employees,€in€arguing€that€decisions€of€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€are€subject€to€section€27„Ð Ô!$  Ð9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€and,€in€turn,€the€UAPA,€point€to€our€decision€in€òòLove€v.€RetirementÐ ½" ! ÐSystem€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€27,€1987€WL€17246,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€21,€1987),€andÐ ¦#ö" Ðits€progeny.€€In€òòLoveóó,€the€cityððs€Board€of€Retirement€denied€pension€benefits€to€a€city€judge,€and€theÐ $ß# Ðjudge€filed€a€petition€for€writ€of€certiorari€with€the€chancery€court.€€òòLoveóó,€1987€WL€17246,€at€*1.€Ð x%È $ ÐThe€chancery€court€conducted€a€òòde€novoóó€review€of€the€proceedings€before€the€Board€of€RetirementÐ a&±!% Ðfinding€that€the€petitionerððs€application€for€benefits€should€have€been€granted€by€the€board.€€òòIdóó.€€€TheÐ J'š"& Ðcity€appealed,€asking€this€Court€to€address€whether€the€chancery€court€erred€by€not€applying€theÐ 3(ƒ#' Ðmore€restrictive€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€standard€of€review.€€òòIdóó.€€òòóóIn€reversing€the€decision€ofÐ )l$( Ðthe€chancery€court,€we€held€that€the€proper€standard€of€review,€pursuant€to€the€pre„1989€languageÐ *U%) Ðin€section€27„9„114,€was€by€common€law€certiorari.€€òòIdóó.€€The€Employees€also€point€to€our€decisionsÐ î*>&* Ðin€òòKendrick€v.€City€of€Chattanooga€Firemenððs€and€Policemenððs€Insurance€and€Pension€Fundóó,€799Ð ×+''+ ÐS.W.2d€668€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990),€òòóó€andòò€Bullard€v.€City€of€Chattanooga€Firemenððs€and€PolicemenððsÐ ° ÐInsurance€and€Pension€Fundóó,€No.€03A01„9705„CH„00193,€1998€WL€90834€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.Ð ™é Ð3,€1998),€as€instances€where€this€Court€has€applied€the€current€language€in€section€27„9„114€of€theÐ ‚Ò ÐTennessee€Code€to€municipal€boards€similar€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€at€issue€in€this€case.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð k» ÐÌà  àAfter€examining€the€statutory€language€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€andÐ =  Ðreviewing€the€applicable€case€law,€we€conclude€that€the€Employeeððs€argument€is€misguided.€€WeÐ & v Ðbegin€by€noting€that€our€decision€in€òòLoveóó€was€premised€upon€the€pre„amendment€language€in€sectionÐ  _ Ð27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code,€which€the€legislature€made€applicable€to€ð ðan€appeal€from€a€rulingÐ ø H Ðòòof€a€city€or€county€official€or€board€óówhich€affects€the€employment€status€of€a€county€or€cityÐ á 1  Ðemployee.ðð€€òòSee€Loveóó,€1987€WL€17246,€at€*1€(emphasis€added).€€As€stated€previously,€when€theÐ Ê   Ðlegislature€amended€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€in€1988,€the€legislature€removed€thisÐ ³  Ðbroad€terminology€and€inserted€the€more€specific€language€ð ðcivil€service€boards€of€a€county€orÐ œì  Ðmunicipality.ðð€€òòSee€óóòòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„9„114€(2003).€€Therefore,€our€decision€in€òòLoveóó,€applyingÐ …Õ  Ðsection€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€a€retirement€board,€was€consistent€with€the€statutoryÐ n¾  Ðlanguage€present€at€the€time.€€Ð W§  ÐÌà  àIn€òòKendrickóó,€the€chancery€court,€reviewing€the€case€under€a€statutory€writ€of€certiorari€andÐ )y Ðemploying€a€òòde€novo€óóstandard€of€review,€€reversed€the€cityððs€decision€denying€an€employee€pensionÐ b Ðbenefits.€€òòKendrickóó,€799€S.W.2d€at€668.€€In€reversing€the€chancery€court,€this€Court€held€that€ð ð[t]heÐ ûK Ðaction€of€the€Board€was€subject€to€review€by€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€since€the€agency€wasÐ ä4 Ðacting€in€a€judicial€or€quasi„judicial€capacity.ðð€€òòIdóó.€(citingòò€Davison€v.€Carróó,€659€S.W.2d€361€(Tenn.Ð Í Ð1983);€òòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„8„101).€€The€Employees€correctly€point€out€that€in€òòKendrickóó€we€citedÐ ¶ Ðto€our€decision€in€òòLoveóó€as€an€example€where€this€Court€applied€section€27„9„114€of€the€TennesseeÐ Ÿï ÐCode€to€a€municipal€bodyððs€denial€of€pension€benefits.€€òòIdóó.€at€669.€€Our€citation€to€òòLoveóó,€however,Ð ˆØ Ðconstitutes€òòobiter€dictum€óónot€binding€upon€the€Court€in€the€present€case.€€òòSee€Shepherd€Fleets,€Inc.Ð qÁ Ðv.€Opryland€USA,€Incóó.,€759€S.W.2d€914,€921€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€We€reach€this€conclusion€byÐ Zª Ðnoting€that,€in€òòKendrickóó,€when€stating€the€proper€manner€of€review€was€by€common€law€certiorari,Ð C“ Ðwe€cited€to€section€27„8„101€of€the€Tennessee€Code€governing€the€common€law€writ€of€certiorariÐ ,| Ðas€authority€for€that€conclusion.€€òòSee€Kendrickóó,€799€S.W.2d€at€668.€€Our€decision€to€review€the€caseÐ e Ðunder€the€standards€applicable€to€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€was€warranted€given€the€recentÐ þN Ðamendment€to€the€statute.€€€Ð ç 7 ÐÌà  àThe€Employees€also€assert€that€our€decision€in€òòBullardóó€is€factually€similar€to€the€undisputedÐ ¹" ! Ðfacts€set€forth€in€the€present€case.€€In€òòBullardóó,€the€cityððs€pension€fund€board€denied€an€employeeÐ ¢#ò" Ðdisability€benefits€after€he€suffered€a€heart€attack€he€attributed€to€his€duties€as€a€fireman.€€òòBullardóó,Ð ‹$Û# Ð1998€WL€90834,€at€*1.€€Citing€to€òòKendrickóó,€we€stated€that€the€proper€method€of€reviewing€theÐ t%Ä $ Ðboardððs€decision,€pursuant€to€section€27„9„114,€was€in€accordance€with€section€4„5„322(h)€of€theÐ ° ÐTennessee€Code.€€òòIdóó.€€The€Employeeððs€reliance€on€our€decision€inòò€Bullard€óóis€flawed.€It€was€incorrectÐ ™é Ðfor€the€Court€in€òòBullard€óóto€say€that€òòóówe€applied€the€language€in€section€27„9„114€of€the€TennesseeÐ ‚Ò ÐCode€in€òòKendrickóó€to€the€denial€of€pensions€to€civil€servants.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòSee€idóó.€€As€we€expressly€stated€inÐ k» ÐòòKendrickóó,€ð ð[t]he€action€of€the€Board€was€òòsubject€to€review€by€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€óósinceÐ T¤ Ðthe€agency€was€acting€in€a€judicial€or€quasi„judicial€capacity.ðð€€òòKendrickóó,€799€S.W.2d€at€668€(citingÐ =  ÐòòTenn.€Code€Ann.€óóðð€27„8„101)€(emphasis€added).€€Ð & v Ѐ€à  àà ` àÐ  _ Ðà  àFinally,€the€City€asserts€that,€even€if€we€determine€that€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€is€not€a€civilÐ ø H Ðservice€board,€our€inquiry€does€not€end€there.€€The€City€directs€our€attention€to€this€Courtððs€decisionÐ á 1  Ðin€òòHolder€v.€City€of€Chattanoogaóó,€878€S.W.2d€950,€951€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993),€where€we€were€askedÐ Ê   Ðto€determine€the€appropriate€standard€of€review€when€reviewing€the€decision€of€a€city€council€inÐ ³  Ðdischarging€a€police€officer.€€In€applying€the€provisions€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€CodeÐ œì  Ðto€the€city€councilððs€decision,€we€stated:Ð …Õ  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓAppellant€insists€that€the€application€of€the€statute€is€restricted€toÐ W§  Ðdecisions€of€ð ðcivil€service€boardsðð€and€points€out€that€the€[term]Ð @ Ðð ðcivil€service€boardsðð€is€not€defined€in€the€statute.€€We€are€of€theÐ )y Ðopinion,€however,€that€there€is€no€merit€in€this€insistence.€€It€is€clearÐ b Ðthat€the€City€Council€of€Chattanooga€was€sitting€as€a€civil€serviceÐ ûK Ðboard€rather€than€as€a€legislative€body€insofar€as€the€proceedingsÐ ä4 Ðinvolved€here€are€concerned.€€Ð Í ÐÌÓ ° ÓÓÓ °ÿÒÓòòIdóó.€at€952.€€The€City€contends€that€it€is€necessary€for€this€Court€to€decide€whether€the€OJI€AppealsÐ Ÿï ÐPanel€ð ðwas€sitting€as€a€civil€service€boardðð€by€rendering€a€decision€which€ð ðaffect[ed]€theÐ ˆØ Ðemployment€status€of€a€civil€service€employee.ðð€€òòSee€State€v.€Odomóó,€137€S.W.3d€572,€581€(Tenn.Ð qÁ Ð2004);€òòCity€of€Memphis€v.€Overtonóó,€392€S.W.2d€98,€100€(Tenn.€1965)€(ð ð[I]t€is€axiomatic€that€thisÐ Zª ÐState€has€long€approved€the€doctrine€of€stare€decisis.ðð).€€Ð C“ Ðà  àÌà  àThe€Employees€once€again€rely€on€our€decisions€in€òòLoveóó,€òòKendrickóó,€and€òòBullardóó€to€argue€thatÐ e Ðthis€Court€has€expressly€held€that€ð ðemployment€statusðð€includes€benefits€associated€withÐ þN Ðemployment.€€As€stated€above,€the€Employeesðð€reliance€on€òòKendrickóó€and€òòBullard€óóis€misplaced.€€TheÐ ç 7 ÐEmployeesðð€argument€that,€in€òòKendrickóó,€€this€Court€held€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ð!   Ðapplied€to€the€decision€of€a€municipal€pension€board€is€incorrect.€€To€the€contrary,€we€reiterate€thatÐ ¹" ! Ðin€òòKendrick€óówe€held€that€ð ð[t]he€action€of€the€Board€was€subject€to€review€by€a€common€law€writ€ofÐ ¢#ò" Ðcertiorari€since€the€agency€was€acting€in€a€judicial€or€quasi„judicial€capacity.ðð€€òòKendrick€v.€City€ofÐ ‹$Û# ÐChattanooga€Firemenððs€&€Policemenððs€Ins.€&€Pension€Fundóó,€799€S.W.2d€668,€668€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð t%Ä $ Ð1990)€(citing€òòTenn.€Code€Annóó.€ðð€27„8„101).€€Likewise,€for€reasons€already€discussed,€theÐ ]&­!% Ðâ âEmployeeððs€reliance€on€our€decision€in€òòBullardóó€is€misplaced€as€well.€€òòSee€Bullard€v.€City€ofÐ F'–"& ÐChattanooga€Firemenððs€&€Policemenððs€Ins.€&€Pension€Fundóó,€No.€03A01„9705„CH„00193,€1998Ð ° ÐWL€90834,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€3,€1998)€(òòciting€Kendrickóó,€799€S.W.2d€at€668).€€Ð ™é Ðâ âÌà  àThe€overriding€contention€between€the€parties,€however,€is€this€Courtððs€statement€in€òòLoveóóÐ k» Ðto€the€effect€that:Ð T¤ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓAlthough€most€of€the€cases€arising€under€T.C.A.€ðð€27„9„114€have€toÐ & v Ðdo€with€employee€discharges€and€suspensions,òò€seeóó,€òòe.g.óó,€òòWheeler€v.Ð  _ ÐCity€of€Memphisóó,€685€S.W.2d€4€(Tenn.€App.€1984),€and€òòBurns€v.Ð ø H ÐJohnsonóó,€636€S.W.2d€441€(Tenn.€App.€1982),€we€are€of€the€opinionÐ á 1  Ðthat€the€statute€is€not€limited€to€those€situations.€€The€termÐ Ê   Ðð ðemployment€statusðð€encompasses€the€entire€legal€relation€of€theÐ ³  Ðemployee€to€the€employer.€€An€employeeððs€eligibility€for€theÐ œì  Ðretirement€benefits€is€an€important€aspect€of€that€relation.€€WeÐ …Õ  Ðtherefore€hold€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€not€restricting€its€scope€ofÐ n¾  Ðreview€to€that€applicable€to€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.€€Ð W§  ÐÌÓ °„ÞÓÓ °vÞÓòòLove€v.€Ret.€Sys.€of€the€City€of€Memphisóó,€No.€27,€1987€WL€17246,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€21,Ð )y Ð1987),€òòperm.€to€appeal€denied€óó(Dec.€28,€1987).€€Given€the€fact€that€òòLoveóó€was€decided€under€the€pre„Ð b Ðamendment€language€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€and€the€subsequent€decisions€byÐ ûK Ðthis€Court€applying€the€amended€language€have€typically€limited€the€statutes€application€toÐ ä4 Ðdischarges,€demotions,€and€the€like,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€our€decision€in€òòLoveóó€has€become€less€significant€in€recentÐ Í Ðyears.€€òòSee€Holderóó,€878€S.W.2d€at€951€(addressing€a€city€employeeððs€òòdischargeóó);€òòsee€also€PardueÐ ¶ Ðv.€Metro.€Govððt€of€Nashville€&€Davidson€Countyóó,€No.€01A01„9707„CH„00312,€1998€WL€173208,Ð Ÿï Ðat€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€15,€1998)€(holding€that€review€of€benefit€boardððs€decision€denying€anÐ ˆØ Ðemployee€pension€benefits€is€by€common€law€certiorari€and€not€under€the€UAPA).€€In€addition,€whenÐ qÁ Ðthe€legislature€amended€the€statute€by€limiting€its€application€to€ð ðcivil€service€boards,ðð€it€alsoÐ Zª Ðimpliedly€limited€the€nature€of€the€decisions€falling€under€the€statute.׃] ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Therefore,€the€decisions€ofÐ C“ Ðthe€OJI€Appeals€Panel€did€not€affect€the€ð ðemployment€statusðð€of€the€Employees€as€we€haveÐ ° Ðinterpreted€that€term€subsequent€to€the€statutory€amendment€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€TennesseeÐ ™é ÐCode.€€Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  àGiven€the€legislatureððs€decision€to€amend€section€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€byÐ T¤ Ðremoving€the€broad€language€ð ðcity€or€county€official€or€boardðð€and€substituting€the€specific€languageÐ =  Ðð ðcivil€service€boards€of€a€county€or€municipality,ðð€we€find€that€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€does€notÐ & v Ðqualify€as€a€civil€service€board.€€In€addition,€we€find€that€the€decision€by€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€toÐ  _ Ðdeny€disability€benefits€to€the€Employees€did€not€affect€their€ð ðemployment€statusðð€as€that€term€isÐ ø H Ðused€in€the€statute€and€defined€by€our€case€law.€€Accordingly,€the€chancery€court€erred€by€applyingÐ á 1  Ðsection€27„9„114€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel,€thereby€making€the€proceduralÐ Ê   Ðand€judicial€review€provisions€of€the€UAPA€applicable€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel.€€In€this€instance,Ð ³  Ðproper€judicial€review€of€the€decision€by€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel€is€by€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.€Ð œì  ÐòòSee€Kendrick€v.€City€of€Chattanooga€Firemenððs€&€Policemenððs€Ins.€&€Pension€Fund€Bd.óó,€799Ð …Õ  ÐS.W.2d€668,€668€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990).€€Since€we€have€determined€that€section€27„9„114€of€theÐ n¾  ÐTennessee€Code€does€not€apply€to€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel,€it€is€not€necessary€for€this€Court€to€reachÐ W§  Ðthe€remaining€issue.€€€Ð @ ÐÌÓ  Óò òConclusionÐ b ÐÌó óÓ  Óà  àFor€the€reasons€contained€herein,€we€reverse€the€decision€of€the€chancery€court€and€find€thatÐ æ6 Ðthe€Cityððs€OJI€Appeals€Panel€is€not€subject€to€the€provisions€of€section€27„9„114€of€the€TennesseeÐ Ï ÐCode.€€Accordingly,€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€to€grant€benefits€to€the€Employees€basedÐ ¸ Ðupon€the€OJI€Appeals€Panelððs€perceived€failure€to€comply€with€the€provisions€of€the€UAPA€andÐ ¡ñ Ðnecessitates€our€reinstating€the€decision€of€the€OJI€Appeals€Panel.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxedÐ ŠÚ Ðagainst€the€Appellees,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.€€Ô#†XÚoX XX'^0#ÔÔ#†îkVîXXÚo÷#ÔÔ‡XÚoXîîkVÔÐ sà ÐòòóóÔ#†îkVîXXÚo ò#ÔÔ€XÚoXîîkVÔÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð  P Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE