The Knox County board has approved job titles and descriptions for two positions that would help alleviate some administrative burden from the state’s attorney.
“As most of us should have learned in the last couple of years, the state's attorney has a lot more duties than just prosecuting cases,” said Josh Kramer, R-District 4. “He’s the lead representation for the board. We've seen the work that comes along with what we ask him to do and the cases that we ask him to look into.”
The first assistant state’s attorney would be the second in command and be responsible for training new attorneys, as well as litigating major felony cases.
The state’s attorney would choose the first assistant from assistant state’s attorneys working in the office — meaning it’s a title change for an existing employee, not a new position.
“It would be basically the same as all other constitutional offices that have chief deputies,” said board Chair Jared Hawkinson. “Chief deputy treasurer, chief deputy clerk, chief deputy circuit clerk. There’s no title of first assistant state’s attorney to handle business while the state’s attorney is gone.”
The resolution authorizing the first assistant was approved on a 7 to 5 vote at Wednesday’s regular meeting, and the position will now undergo a wage study. Most Democrats in attendance were opposed, because the wage study is coming after approval of the classification.
“I would not be voting yes for it until we know what the cost or the raise is for whoever might be receiving this,” said Pam Davidson, D-District 3. “I think the cost study should have been done prior to.”
Hawkinson said the classification of first assistant was requested by current State’s Attorney Sherry-Lawson Weaver who is serving until Republican Ashley Worby is elected. She is running unopposed.
But he said he previously discussed the need for a first assistant with former State’s Attorney, Democrat Jeremy Karlin, who stepped down from the role earlier this month.
The first assistant position would require five or more years of trial experience, Hawkinson said.
FOIA officer, streamed meetings
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a classification for the new position of Freedom of Information Act officer.
The responsibilities for responding to public records requests per state statutes used to fall under the county clerk, then were moved to the state’s attorney in recent years.
Hawkinson said the position is needed as the number of FOIA requests is increasing. So far this year, the county has received around 300 FOIA requests.
“There's a lot more to it than people think for handling the FOIA requests within the required time,” Hawkinson said.
In addition, Hawkinson announced that all regular and committee meetings of the board will now be live-streamed on YouTube — and be available for the public to watch at any time.
Previously regular meetings were hosted on Zoom, but no archived video was available.
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