Brennan chosen as new merit board member
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Employees’ Merit System Board of Directors has a new member. The commission voted last week to choose Ms. Jaybee Brennan to fill out the term of Christopher Manning, who resigned his position.
Brennan will serve until Manning’s term expires on September 30, when a new permanent position will be selected. Much discussion centered on how to make Brennan a member to serve beyond the brief appointment. The next scheduled board meeting is set for October 13, and the two-month period may give Brennan time to learn how the board functions.
Asked whether the commission could go ahead and appoint Brennan to the full-term position, Knox County Deputy Law Director Mike Moyers said the commission has the power to do so if it chooses. The commissioners decided 10-1 to go ahead with the temporary appointment, with Commissioner Kim Frazier voting “No.”
Brennan, a retired California law enforcement official, told the commission she would accept the temporary appointment and is interested in serving in the full-term position. The merit board reviews complaints and appeals from sheriff department employees. Board members serve for three years and may continue for one additional term.
The merit board reorganized recently and selected Kenny Boatman as chair to replace Manning and Michael Crichton as vice chair. Continuing members of the board include Clarence Vaughn, Lindsey Willis, Brock Goetz and Dan Johnson.
In other action, the commissioners approved raising the mineral severance tax in the county from 15 cents per ton to 20 cents under a new state law that permits the increase.
At-Large Commissioner Larsen Jay gave a presentation on the county’s efforts to get broken, redundant and dangerous power poles removed. He suggested withholding new permits for poles until the owners remove duplicate or abandoned poles.
The commission honored the Gibbs High School Lady Eagles softball team for winning back-to-back state championships in 2024 and 2025. The team went 41-3 with 18 consecutive wins in 2025 and has won a total of 12 state championships.
Commissioner Shane Jackson also honored the West High School football team for their victories at state in 2022 and 2023. He wanted the players to be recognized following three football coaches being fired for inappropriate behavior.
The commissioners also heard a report about the housing market from Maria McHale from the Knoxville Association of Realtors.
Two agreements involving state and federal funding were passed, one amending the plan benefiting low- to moderate-income persons with block grants. That vote passed with Angela Russell and Rhonda Lee passing and Andy Fox voting “No.” Also passed was an agreement with Sacred Ground Hospice House for end-of-life care for uninsured persons using federal funds in a 10-1 vote.
