[Angela Russell]

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

[Kim Frazier]

Thank you, Commissioner Russell, for your thoughtful consideration.

[Kim Frazier]

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.

[Kim Frazier]

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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