Merit Board to discuss amendments on political activity

By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com

The Knox County Employees’ Merit System Board of Directors may be moving to amend some restrictions in their rules and regulations regarding politics. When they meet today at 1 p.m., in the Merit System Office in the Old Court House, the members will consider four amendments involving:  Rule and Regulation 3.2(f), Knox County Ordinance Sec 42-53(c), Rule and Regulation 9.5 and Knox County Ordinance 42-62 (b).

The rules are fairly new as the Knox County Commission rewrote them within the past year while reforming the group after a series of conflicts among the former merit council, the Knox County Sheriff and the commission.

The commission has the power to remove merit board members who violate the rules. The rules forbid any board member from taking an active part in any political campaign and establish procedures for employee grievances. Ordinances to amend the rules and county code regarding the KCSO minimum employment age and requiring employees to have valid driver’s licenses passed earlier this year.