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KCSO Merit Board reappoints officers, approves job-description changes and sets 2026 calendar
Summary
The Knox County Sheriff's Office Merit Board reappointed its chair and vice chair, approved multiple job-description updates — including adding payroll to an administrative coordinator role and new radio technician steps aimed at retention — and set quarterly 2026 meeting dates.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Merit Board met beginning at 12:30 p.m. and reappointed board leadership, approved several personnel job-description changes and scheduled its 2026 quarterly meetings.
The board voted to approve Kenny Boatman as chairman after a nomination and second, and reappointed Lindsey Willis as vice chairman. Chair (name not stated) presided over the votes.
Human Resources Director Amanda Kits presented a revision to the administrative coordinator job description to add payroll responsibilities. "I am presenting the administrative coordinator payroll position," Kits said, explaining the role would sit at the Knox County Detention Facility and handle payroll for about 350 detention employees. Kits told the board that once payroll is completed it comes to human resources, is placed on a spreadsheet and is then submitted to Knox County payroll for payment. The board moved, seconded and approved the change.
Matt Evans, assistant chief deputy at the Knox County Sheriff's Office, presented changes to the law enforcement supervisor/sergeant job description that clarify duties and training requirements. Evans said the revised description requires completion of the KCSO field officer training program and sets a minimum of five years' law-enforcement experience, with at least two years at KCSO, as qualification. The board voted to approve the update.
Angie Daniels, lieutenant in KCSO's technology division, described proposed job steps for radio and communications technicians designed to improve retention given the long training timeline for those positions. Daniels said the county's radio systems must remain Federal Communications Commission‑compliant and interoperate with federal, state and local agencies. She told the board the division currently employs two technicians and one supervisor and that an ideal staffing level would be three full-time technicians to ensure coverage and on‑call support. Board members questioned the time it takes to reach senior technician (discussed as up to about 13 years under the current progression) and suggested recruiting candidates with military radio experience. The board approved grade assignments for the positions (grades 10, 12, 13 and 16).
The board approved minutes from its July 14, 2025 and October 13, 2025 meetings. It also set its 2026 quarterly meetings for April 21, July 20 and October 19, each at 12:30 p.m., with staff (name given as Paula) arranging room reservations.
Before adjourning, the chair noted the death of Chief Bernie Lyons on Dec. 22 and asked members to keep his family in their prayers. The board adjourned after a motion and vote.
The meeting included routine procedural votes and several personnel and classification changes; board members asked questions about reporting lines, training requirements and staffing levels during the personnel items.
