Commission agenda loaded with proposals by members
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
When the Knox County Commission meets today, several commissioners have resolutions on the agenda.
For example, Commissioner Kim Frazier has an ordinance to amend a qualification for new members of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Employees’ Merit System Board of Directors. She wants to reduce the limitation on employment under the KCSO from ten to five years and to allow board members to have family members employed by law enforcement. Frazier is also asking that the ethics committee conduct a review and revision of the Knox County Code of Ethics.
Commissioner Andy Fox has a resolution establishing the commission as the legislature to review applications for any state or federally financed assistance. He has routinely objected to federal funding and often removes such funding resolutions from the consent agenda so he can vote “No.”
Fox also has a resolution honoring the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
Chairwoman Gina Oster and Frazier will honor Sheriff Tom Spangler for receiving the “Courageous Lion Award” from the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association.
The Rules Committee has three resolutions on the agenda. One would allow commissioners to participate in meetings via electronic means if they are dealing with an emergency, experiencing inclement weather, or have been called into military service. The second regards the committees a commissioner may not serve on: A commissioner shall not serve on any committee or board that has a family member working in a Knox County Government department that might be regulated, investigated, or overseen by such committee. The third resolution changes the procedure for filling vacancies on committees.
Becky Hofseth may be appointed to fill one of the two vacancies on the Library Advisory Board and serve out the term of the retiring Michelle Hollenhead. The other appointment has been moved to the commission’s September meeting.
Reorganization of the commission, including electing a chair and vice chair, is set for September 2 at 1 p.m.
