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Board tables contract to hire adjudication hearing officer after conflict-of-interest concerns
Summary
The Knox County Board tabled action on hiring an administrative hearing officer (adjudication judge) for zoning enforcement after members raised concerns about selection, bidding and possible conflicts; motion to table passed 11–1.
A proposal to contract with an adjudication judge — an attorney trained to preside over zoning adjudication hearings for local code violations — was tabled by the Knox County Board on Feb. 26 after members and the public questioned how the position was selected.
Zoning staff explained that the adjudication judge conducts hearings when property owners fail to address zoning violations and that the state requires specific training for the role. The staff member said their last adjudication judge retired and noted delays in moving some zoning enforcement cases without a judge.
Pam Davidson pressed why the position had not been put out for bid and whether selecting a single person without competition was appropriate. A board member moved to table the contract so members could have additional time to vet conflicts of interest; the motion to table passed on a roll-call vote with 11 ayes and 1 no, and the item was postponed.
Board members and staff said they would follow up with the state's attorney's office to clarify the selection process and confirm whether the adjudication judge is appointed through the state or requires local procurement steps. No contract was approved at the meeting.
