Knox County ethics committee elects Debbie Stafford as chair, names Byron Wood vice chair

Debbie Stafford was elected chair of the Knox County ethics committee at its Wednesday meeting, and Byron Wood was confirmed as vice chair, the committee announced after a short reorganization and routine business session.

The committee, which met Nov. 13 and confirmed a quorum, adopted its agenda and approved the previous meeting’s minutes by voice votes. Commissioner Damon Rawls, a newly seated commissioner who said he was elected in September, introduced himself and described the district he represents. Stafford led a brief devotion earlier in the meeting, reading from Psalm 34 and offering a prayer.

Nominations for chair were opened; nominations named Steven Goodpastor and Debbie Stafford. After a roll-call tally the chair announced that Stafford had received five votes and there was one pass. With a motion to accept the result, Stafford was declared chair; she thanked members after the outcome. The record does not specify who made the initial motions or who seconded them.

Byron Wood was nominated for vice chair and, after a second, the committee voted in favor. The meeting record shows the voice votes and the chair’s announcements but does not capture a roll-call vote for the vice-chair position.

The chair announced the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 8:30 a.m. in the main assembly room. With no further new business, the committee adjourned.

Details recorded on the meeting transcript: Michael Biddle was listed among members but was not present; Michael Covington, identified as the previous chairman, was noted to be in the audience. No ordinances, contracts, budget actions or legal authorities were discussed or acted upon at this session.