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R-26-7-908, Code of Ethics

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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  • July 21, 2026 at 8:47 pm #7460
    Angela Russell
    Participant

      I would like to suggest the following changes. I have identified the location of the change and a brief explanation and then the suggested wording change.

      Section 1. Definitions. Number 5) Change definition to align with other Knox County documents being changed.
      Suggestion: 5) “Relative” means spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, or equivalent “step”, “foster”, or “in-law” or any other person that resides in the same household. A legal guardian or individual acting as a parent substitute is also included in this definition.

      Section 2. Disclosure of personal interest in voting matters. Change last sentence to agree with rest of policy.
      Suggestion: Disclosures must be filed annually with the Ethics Committee or county clerk, even if no conflicts arise, to promote proactive transparency.

      Section 4. Item 4.2 The last item on the original policy was omitted but not properly identified as being omitted. Assume this was in error.
      Suggestion: 16) Entrance fees, food, refreshments, amenities, beverages and other gifts given to all participants in a charitable event sponsored by an established charitable organization or an event to benefit a charitable organization.

      Section 8. Number 3) Change definition to align with other Knox County documents being changed.
      Suggestion: 3) Members shall not be a relative to any elected official of Knox County.

      I would also like to ask a question in regards to Section 4.8. Has the Director of HR been included in the conversation surrounding the annual training requirement? We need to ensure that we are not requiring a task that will cause significant additional time or expense that the department can not handle.

      Respectfully submitted, Angela Russell, District 5

      July 22, 2026 at 9:20 am #7462
      Kim Frazier
      Participant

        Thank you, Commissioner Russell, for your thoughtful consideration.

        July 27, 2026 at 10:27 am #7472
        Kim Frazier
        Participant

          Commissioner Russell,

          I wanted to respond:

          Page 8. Section 4. Item 4.2 Acceptable Items. The Chair of the subcommittee, Mr. Michael Bittel, and also Mr. Marcus Kennedy from County HR who also served on the subcommittee as scribe, believe that the original language was omitted in error. I am prepared to reintroduce the language as number 16) Entrance fees, food, refreshments, amenities, beverages and other gifts given to all participants in a charitable event sponsored by an established charitable organization or an event to benefit a charitable organization.

          Question regarding HR. Yes, County HR actively participated in the review and is responsible for the content and access of the training materials. Individual county departments / offices are responsible for team member training, acknowledgement of training, and record keeping.

          I hope that this answers your questions adequately. Both the Chair of the Ethics Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee will be present at the regular voting Commission meeting tonight.

          July 27, 2026 at 11:25 am #7473
          Kim Frazier
          Participant

            Printed copies of the additional recommended amendments and a list of committee / subcommittee members along with public meeting dates will provided at the regular voting meeting but are provided here in advance…

            Additional recommended amendments:

            Page 5. Section 1. Definitions. Number 5. Replace current drafted definition to existing Knox County language defining “Relative”.
            Suggestion: “Relative” means spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, or equivalent “step”, “foster”, or “in-law” or any other person that resides in the same household. A legal guardian or individual acting as a parent substitute is also included in this definition.

            Page 6. Section 2. Disclosure of personal interest in voting matters. Change last sentence to agree with rest of policy.
            Suggestion: Disclosures must be filed annually with the Ethics Committee or county clerk, even if no conflicts arise, to promote proactive transparency.

            Page 8. Section 4. Item 4.2 Acceptable Items. The last item on the original policy was omitted in error. Reintroduce language as Number 16).
            Suggestion: 16) Entrance fees, food, refreshments, amenities, beverages and other gifts given to all participants in a charitable event sponsored by an established charitable organization or an event to benefit a charitable organization.

            Page 12. Section 8. Ethics Committee. Number 3) Change definition to align with other Knox County documents and or language.
            Suggestion: 3) Members shall not be a relative to any elected official of Knox County.

            Ethics Committee Voting Members:
            Deborah Stafford, Chair
            Michael Bittel, Vice Chair
            Perrin Anderson
            Krystal Gibson
            Rusty Goddard
            Steven Goodpaster
            Marcus Hilliard
            Carletta Rando-Smelcer
            Gary Anders

            Ethics Committee Non-Voting Liaisons:
            Knox County Sheriff’s Employee: Captain Greg Stinnett
            Knox County Mayor’s Office Employee: Marcus Kennedy
            Knox County Commissioner: Damon Rawls

            Ethics Subcommittee Members:
            Michael Bittel, Chair
            Steven Goodpaster
            Krystal Gibson
            Carletta Rando-Smelcer
            Marcus Hilliard
            Marcus Kennedy
            Greg Stinnett

            7 Public Meetings:
            10/17/25
            11/07/25
            12/03/25
            01/14/26
            02/25/26
            03/18/26

            Ethics Committee Process Subcommittee Page created with all working documents and proposals and a public subcommittee portal for online comment submissions. https//www.knoxcounty.org/ethics/

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