The recent indictment of Knox County property evaluators for misconduct has sparked a conversation about the necessity for stricter regulations surrounding official vehicles. Phil Ballard, the Knox County Real Estate Assessor, is facing a charge of official misconduct. He mentioned that he receives an annual travel allowance of $7,600 and has used a county vehicle around 150 times, returning $2,776.95 after being found to have used it inappropriately.

Ballard has served as the assessor since 2008, and he actually began his career as a Knox County commissioner in 2006. In fact, he and Commissioner Greg Lambert attended training sessions together in Nashville for newly elected officials.

He was a guest speaker in my reporting class at the University of Tennessee. I think it’s wise to wait for the court’s decision on these matters before forming judgments. But, it’s crucial for all Tennessee counties to establish clear and enforceable vehicle policies.

When Lambert, Ballard, and I formed a committee, there was an evident power struggle between Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Sheriff Tim Hutchison. The two held separate welcome sessions for the new commissioners. Some of Sheriff Hutchison’s followers pushed for motions to limit the mayor’s county vehicle usage and to cut travel allowances. While some of these allegations were valid, I noticed irregularities in how the sheriff’s office operated. I ultimately sided with the committee chair Scott Moore, explaining that his claims weren’t comprehensive enough.

My abstention led to a failed motion, but I was subsequently appointed as chair of the Ad Hoc Vehicle Committee, which included Commissioners Lambert and Mike Hammond. We held hearings to gather information about vehicle accessibility among county departments and the rules governing vehicle usage. Hammond examined the feasibility of GPS tracking for usage, while Lambert looked into vehicles assigned to judges. I visited local facilities where county vehicles are serviced.

We conducted research, leveraging resources from the County Technical Assistance Services and City Technical Assistance Services, both part of the University of Tennessee’s Public Services Institute. We reviewed vehicle policies from various cities and counties and even consulted specialist magazines to gain further insights.

We analyzed numerous comprehensive policies from throughout the country and ultimately drafted a proposal. To secure enough votes for passage, I made some adjustments, including exempting the schools to forestall potential lawsuits. Reluctantly, I also exempted the Sheriff’s Office, despite my suspicions that a vehicle was being inappropriately taken home. The proposal eventually passed.

However, recent actions against Ballard indicate that the county might be slipping back into some old habits.

Here are some recommendations regarding county vehicles for both larger and smaller counties:

• Take-home vehicles should be limited to roles that necessitate frequent travel and emergency responses, without turning them into extra pay or perks.
• “Double dipping”—using both government vehicles and travel allowances—should be prohibited, except for infrequent events that county vehicles can’t serve.
• Counties should explore existing state and local electric vehicle policies for environmental and cost benefits, ensuring adequate charging infrastructure is available without penalizing EV owners with unnecessary fees.
• Accurate records must be maintained for refueling at county pumps to prevent fuel from being diverted for personal use.
• Smoking in county vehicles should be banned to minimize secondhand smoke exposure and protect their resale value.
• County vehicles cannot be used for personal trips.
• Using mobile phones while driving should be avoided; hands-free devices should be utilized for necessary communications.
• Any accidents or traffic violations must be promptly reported to both the sheriff and the county mayor, particularly for supervisors or department heads using county vehicles.

While this list is a starting point, it’s clear that a robust, enforced policy is essential based on past experiences.