VOTE411 Voter Guide

Responsibilities of Knox County Commission include:Establish county ordinancesReview and approve Knox County budget, including the Knox County School budgetSet county tax ratesReview and approve zoning and code regulationsAllocate funds for county resources such as parks, greenways and recreation facilitiesThe meetings of the Knox County Commission are open to the public. In fact, Commission meetings are broadcast live over cable television each month. All committee meetings are also open to the public.From: https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/faqs/===========================================The following italicized text is copied directly from the Municipal code.The legislative power of the County is vested in the Commission of Knox County (hereinafter referred to as the ), which is the Legislative Branch and Legislative Body of Knox County.The legislative power of the County includes:all lawful authority to adopt ordinances, emergency ordinances and resolutions governing the operation of government or regulating the conduct and affairs of the residents of the County,to adopt and amend the County budget, to fix all County tax rates and to provide for the collection of all County taxes, to release County taxpayers from double taxes, when such has occurred, to provide for corrections in tax lists,to appropriate County funds for any and all lawful purposes, and to exercise all other authority of a legislative nature which is vested in the County by the Constitution and all applicable laws of the State of Tennessee.The Commission may adopt any ordinance, emergency ordinance or resolution which is not in conflict with the Constitution or general laws of the State of Tennessee or this Charter.By ordinance, the Commission shall establish rules and regulations governing all County purchases, sales, contracts for services and disposal of surplus property.From: https://library.municode.com/tn/knox_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_ARTIILEBR_S2.01LEPO===========================================HELPFUL WEBSITEShttps://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/people/https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/documents/commission-overview/ABOUT THE KNOX COUNTY COMMISSIONEach member of the Knox County Commission serves all Knox Countians eagerly and are happy to be of assistance to you. Please feel free to contact your Commissioners on our Contact Us page or call the Commission office at 865-215-2534SCHEDULEThe Knox County Commission meets twice per month (see types of meetings below) to conduct the business of Knox County Government. While these are typically on the 3rd and 4th Monday of each month, the schedule may vary from time to time. Additional committee meetings are held on various dates/times throughout the year. *To verify specific dates and times, please access a full Commission schedule at the website listed above.PUBLIC FORUMEvery Knox County Commission meeting has a public forum element. Speakers are given up to five minutes to discuss any topic of interest. If you would like to sign up to speak before the Commissioners, you can contact the Commission office at (865) 215-2534 / commission@knoxcounty.org or speak to the Commission staff before the meeting begins.TYPES OF MEETINGSKnox County Commission holds the following meetings each month:COMMISSION WORK SESSION (3rd Monday of month @ 5:00pm*) The first step in the legislative process is for resolutions and matters of County business to be filed and discussed in the monthly work session. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss items and set the agenda for the Commission meeting the following week. While votes may be taken to send items forward to the main Commission meeting, no resolution or item is given the final decision at this meeting.BEER BOARD (4th Monday of month @ 4:00pm*) County Commission holds a public hearing each month to review applications for beer permits. Applicants are sworn in by the Knox Co. Law Department and asked a series of questions while also hearing from professionals (Heath Dept., Codes, Sheriff’s Office, Health Dept.) who review the applicant’s eligibility. If no permits are submitted, then this meeting is cancelled. To learn more about beer permits please visit: www.knoxcounty.org/clerk/permits_beer.phpCOMMISSION MEETING (4th Monday of month @ 5:00pm*) The final step in the legislative process takes place at the main County Commission meeting. After a final review and discussion by Knox Co. staff members and Commissioners, all resolutions are voted on. Additional items such as Honorary Resolutions or presentations might also occur during this meeting.ZONINGS (4th Monday of month @ 7:00pm* or when Commission business is complete) The County Commission holds a special Zoning meeting each month to review land-use applications. After applicants have gone through the Planning Commission process, they are presented to County Commission for final approval or appeal. To learn more about Knoxville/Knox County Planning, visit: www.knoxplanning.org