Hamilton County elects Ken Smith chair, Lee Helton chair pro tem

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners elected Commissioner Ken Smith as chair and Commissioner Lee Helton as chair pro tem during its Sept. 3, 2025, regular meeting. Both officers were sworn in at the meeting following nominations and a motion to close nominations.

The commission opened nominations after the chair outlined the election procedure required under TCA 5-5-103. Commissioner Highlander nominated Ken Smith for chair; no further nominations were made, and the chair announced that, "since there's only 1 nominee ... the election will be conducted by acclamation." The clerk then administered an oath to Smith.

Commissioner Chauncey nominated Lee Helton for the office of chair pro tem. With no further nominations, Helton was declared elected by acclamation and was sworn in later in the meeting.

After being sworn, Commissioner Ken Smith thanked colleagues and guests, saying he was "incredibly humbled and appreciative of the trust that this body has placed in me over the years" and that he would "do everything that I can to serve ... to the best of my ability."

The commission followed the rules the chair read aloud at the start of the election, which recited the procedure that applies when more than two nominees are submitted and no candidate receives the required votes on the first ballot (citing TCA 5-5-103).

No formal roll-call vote was necessary; both officers were installed by acclamation and assumed their duties immediately.

The meeting continued with routine business and committee items after the swearing-in.