The Knox County Ethics Committee was created by the Knox County Commission on January 22, 2007, to receive and investigate complaints of violations of the policy and to refer matters to the appropriate person or agency for further action under existing laws, if appropriate.
The Knox County Ethics Committee meets quarterly, the Second Wednesday of February, May, August and November, unless the Committee Chair calls for a “Special Called Meeting.” Meetings are held in the City-County building, and the meetings are open to the public.
The Knox County Ethics Committee consists of the following nine (9) voting members and three (3) non-voting liaisons:
- One (1) citizen member shall be appointed by the Knox County Sheriff, which appointment shall be spread of record on the minutes of a Knox County Commission meeting.
- Three (3) citizen members shall be appointed by the Knox County Mayor, which appointments shall be spread of record on the minutes of a Knox County Commission meeting.
- Five (5) citizen members shall be appointed by the Knox County Commission.
- The Knox County Mayor and the Knox County Sheriff shall appoint one (1) employee of their respective offices and the Knox County Commission shall appoint one (1) commissioner to serve as non-voting liaisons to the Ethics Committee.
The current committee members are:
Voting Members:
- Deborah Stafford, Chair
- Byron Wood, Vice-Chair
- Kathryne Ogrod
- Rusty Goddard
- Carletta Rando-Smelcer
- Steven Goodpaster
- Krystal Gibson
- Marcus Hilliard
- Michael Bittel
Non-Voting Liaisons:
- Knox County Sheriff’s Employee: Captain Greg Stinnett
- Knox County Mayor’s Office Employee: Marcus Kennedy
- Knox County Commissioner: Damon Rawls
The Sworn Complaint form, with instructions, is available on this website for downloading. The Sworn Complaint form MUST be used in order to file a complaint with the Knox County Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee Chairman will return to the complainant, without further action by the Chairman or committee, any complaint received that is not on the Sworn Complaint form. If anyone needs assistance with completing the form, they should contact the Knox County Law Director’s Office at 865-215-2327.The Knox County Law Director’s Office provides legal services and support for the Knox County Ethics Committee.
