The trustee is responsible for collecting residential, commercial and personal property taxes, accounting for and disbursing county funds, and investing money that isn’t being used to earn interest and investment profits.
Here are the candidates in the May 5 primary.
Justin Biggs (incumbent)
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 42
Occupation: Knox County trustee
Justin Biggs
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
The state watchdog agency has said the Trustee’s Office has not been a good steward of taxpayer resources. What specifically will you do to ensure county residents trust the office is meeting high ethical standards?
We already have the policies and procedures in place to ensure we meet high ethical standards, and we will continue to review and update them as needed. I, as the trustee, can now review the GPS and check the routes to ensure no misuse.How would you change the Trustee’s Office? What works well and what doesn’t?
I will continue to bring government to the people and move the office forward through sound investing. We have had our best investment numbers ever during my first term, with over $40 million in interest earned for our Knox County taxpayers. During my first term, I will have held the top three tax sales in Knox County history, and as of today, I have collected over $26 million in delinquent accounts, which has helped provide one of the highest collection rates in the state of Tennessee. We’ve also provided the best customer service our county has ever seen by helping our disabled veterans, senior citizens, and all Knox County residents.
How will you ensure taxpayers know what resources are available to them from your office?
We will continue sharing information through media releases, social media and community events at senior centers across Knox County. Additionally, every tax statement will include helpful details for residents. Our website has been updated with all the information you need, and soon you’ll be able to conveniently pay your taxes by scanning a QR code.
What professional experience do you have that sets you apart from your opponents?
I am the most qualified candidate to be reelected trustee because I bring over 20 years of hands-on experience within the Trustee’s Office, having worked in every position it offers. That experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of how the office operates and what it takes to serve our community effectively.
In my first term as trustee, I didn’t just learn the role; I delivered results, achieving record-breaking numbers each year. I understand what it takes to make government accessible, to serve our disabled veterans and senior citizens with the care and respect they deserve, and to ensure every Knox County resident is served with integrity and efficiency. That’s something you learn through hard work, dedication, and putting the community first in the Trustee’s Office.
Did you use AI assistance to help write your answer? If not, please write “n/a.” If so, please elaborate.
N/a.
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What’s your leadership style within the Trustee’s Office and as a member of the Knox County government in general?
The number one thing I noticed when I became trustee was the lack of bringing government to the people. One of the things we did, we started the mobile operations program. Our leadership is proactive because I’ve been in the office for two decades. One of the things we’re most proud of is investing. That goes back into the general fund to help do things like road projects, pay the school’s budget, pay the sheriff’s department’s budget. That means when you look at stuff like that, the Trustee’s Office is actually the one that’s carrying the county on our back. My team, my administration, always put the Knox County taxpayer first and fulfill the need that they have.
The Trustee’s Office was at the center of a state investigation into officeholders’ ethics compliance. How will you ensure you and your staff are adhering to ethics guidelines and how will you work to build trust with residents?
Unfortunately, there was some reporting that was overly biased. We’ve put the proper safeguards in place to make sure that nothing like that happens. One of the things that I would say has been such a huge help is people realizing, ‘Hey, we’re here. We have to be a good steward of taxpayers’ money. We have to do everything we can to fulfill what they need. At the same time, we have to do it responsibly.’ That’s come through with team meetings, administration meetings, making sure everyone’s doing everything they have to do and keep pushing the Trustee’s Office in the right direction. Unfortunately, an incident like that makes you have to take a different route. Whenever I was in that seat being asked questions, I’ve answered honestly and told them what was going on and being upfront. I’ve humbly apologized multiple times and we’re headed in the right direction.
Who is someone in a leadership position who you think is doing a good job?
There’s so many people I admire. The number one person that comes to mind is Mike Frazier, who owns Knox Rail Salvage, Old City Kitchens. He owns property across Knox County where he’s brought goods and services to the citizens of Knox County who can’t afford the big box stores. They started a company called Angelic Ministries, where they help people who are in financial hardships. His people love him, his team members love him. He’s a staple in our community of what leadership should be. He has a servant’s heart.
Barry Hawkins
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 60
Occupation: Property assessor’s office employee and former Trustee’s Office employee
Barry Hawkins
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
The state watchdog agency has said the Trustee’s Office has not been a good steward of taxpayer resources. What specifically will you do to ensure county residents trust the office is meeting high ethical standards?
Being a good steward means you spend/use money for only what is necessary to accomplish your mission and nothing more. There are no style points in being efficient. Just the satisfaction of a job well done. Oftentimes, office holders treat the office resources/money as their own personal funds. They spend these funds on things which are not necessary. Sometimes officeholders use the money to hire friends who were beneficial to his/her election efforts. This should not happen, it does but it shouldn’t.
I will not hire any friends or anyone who contributed to my election. The headcount and the budget will go down. The Trustee’s Office will be staffed with only enough personnel to get the job done, nothing more. We will prove that you can spend less money and still collect property taxes for Knox County at the same rate it is being collected now. I will stay in touch with the state of Tennessee auditors, Knox County auditors, Knox County finance and Knox County Commission to inspect and audit the Trustee’s Office. I will do the right thing. I invite anyone who has a question to ask me. I will remember that they elected me and I work for them. I’m not here to prepare for my next job.
How would you change the Trustee’s Office? What works well and what doesn’t?
HOW WOULD I CHANGE THE TRUSTEE’S OFFICE:
Evaluate the office. The things that work well ‒ we would not change. The things that do not work well ‒ we would change.
WHAT WORKS WELL:
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The State Tax Relief Program
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The State Tax Freeze Program
WHAT DOESN’T WORK WELL:
Tax Sale Program Service of Summons Notice, personally done by the Trustee’s Office, necessitated leasing of vehicles, adding additional personnel, when services could be done by the Knox County Sheriff’s. Reducing headcount and eliminating vehicle expenses.
Tax Sale Program: Adding properties to the Tax Sale which are not desirable and no one will purchase. The result is Knox County is the new owner, and also resumes all responsibility for any injuries on said property.
Tax Sale Program: Trustee employee(s) misled/scared homeowners to sell their land to them to get it out of the tax sale so they could use it for their own personal financial gain.
How will you ensure taxpayers know what resources are available to them from your office?
Put information notices in tax statements, website, and contact the media to help spread the word about various resources available.
What professional experience do you have that sets you apart from your opponents?
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(1994-2011) Knox County Trustees office. I learned the office from the ground up. I learned what to do, when to do it, and why you do it. I have experience in almost every area of the office.
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(2011-2020) Licensed Commercial Real Estate Agent: Sold and negotiated sales of commercial properties throughout the state of Tennessee.
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(2020-present) Knox County Property Assessor’s Office – assess properties for fair market value.
Did you use AI assistance to help write your answer? If not, please write “n/a.” If so, please elaborate.
N/a.
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What’s your leadership style within the office and as a member of Knox County’s government in general?
Right now, I’m working for the property assessor, but from ’94 to 2011, I was in the trustee office. I worked from pretty much opening mail all the way to pretty much the top. When we opened the satellite (office), I would go out because I was familiar with everything and I’d train the people that were going to work there. Accountability is important to me. Integrity, that’s pretty important. That’s why I have two ears and one mouth. When you listen to your employees and get a better feeling, they can give you better ideas. When you’re out in the field, you can answer a whole lot of questions. Customer service is good.
The Trustee’s Office was at the center of a state investigation into officeholders’ ethics compliance. How will you ensure you and your staff are adhering to ethics guidelines and how will you work to build trust with residents?
Spend and use the money only for what we need it for. Nothing more, nothing less. You don’t need to go out and spend it on vehicles, hotel rooms, giving your friends big raises. Accountability and integrity, that’s big for me. You’re going to be responsible for your actions and I’m going to be responsible for your actions. You’ve got to institute guidelines. The current trustee, it’s obvious there’s no accountability for what was going on. You have these, pretty much PACs that want to control these offices. That’s what term limits were about. When you’re term-limited, you move on. You don’t move to another office. When you do that, you’re just trying to advance your political career.
Who is someone in a leadership position that you think is doing a good job?
I’ll go back to my faith. My lord and savior. I’m going to follow his role. Do the right thing, that’s what it all leads to. Be accountable for yourself and know when to always do the right thing.
Stephen Hood
Party affiliation: Democrat
Age: 48
Occupation: University of Tennessee at Knoxville Health Science Center internet technology director
Stephen Hood
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
The state watchdog agency has said the Trustee’s Office has not been a good steward of taxpayer resources. What specifically will you do to ensure county residents trust the office is meeting high ethical standards?
Under my leadership, the Trustee’s Office will practice fiscal responsibility and accountability to taxpayers. I will thoroughly review all findings from the recent investigations into the office to identify the most problematic areas. I’ll seek recommendations from the auditors and others for how we can implement additional safeguards or training to ensure the past problematic behavior does not recur. I’ll also examine past spending and actions, looking for any concerning items and opportunities to improve.
How would you change the Trustee’s Office? What works well and what doesn’t?
There have been multiple problems brought to light that span several Republican administrations. The culture of the office needs to change. I want to work with the staff to determine where we can do better and how we can show the county that we can be good stewards of taxpayer resources. There are several programs that the department is facilitating to help taxpayers who need some grace that I would continue and hopefully expand. There also needs to be more transparency in how the office works. I plan to share as much information as possible with the public and make myself available for questions and concerns.
How will you ensure taxpayers know what resources are available to them from your office?
We have many ways of sharing resources today. I would ensure the office has a presence in resource fairs and other public events to spread information on programs and opportunities that would benefit the taxpayer. Social media is a great outlet, and advertising and mailers could also be leveraged to reach those who prefer a less digital approach. I would also attend public county meetings to be available to constituents who might have questions or need information.
What professional experience do you have that sets you apart from your opponents?
I have three decades of public service under my belt at the federal, state and local level. I’ve worked in offices where I’ve had to implement changes to ensure taxpayer funded resources were properly managed and tracked. I’m ready to do that again in the Trustee’s Office and for the county as a whole. The ‘Courthouse Crowd’ has had over a decade of control of our county government and it is time for a change that can help Knox County move forward.
Did you use AI assistance to help write your answer? If not, please write “n/a.” If so, please elaborate.
N/a.
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What’s your leadership style within the office and as a member of Knox County’s government in general?
I definitely believe in leading from the front. I want to make sure that everyone understands the goals and why we’re trying to do what we’re trying to do. That there’s no ambiguity or any questions about why we’re doing the work, or somebody doesn’t understand what they’re doing. I want to make sure they have the training or the knowledge they need to succeed in their role. I would definitely be open to input from the public about issues they may be having or improvements they may have in mind. A lot of people have an open-door policy, I would have that as well. I would try to attend as many events as I could to make sure I’m available.
The Trustee’s Office was at the center of a state investigation into officeholders’ ethics compliance. How will you ensure you and your staff are adhering to ethics guidelines and how will you work to build trust with residents?
I definitely want to review the findings of the reports from that investigation and work with the auditors and the department to make sure we’re in compliance with all the rules, any training that might be deficient can be augmented to cover issues. Just helping to instill a culture that’s focused on following the rules and being the best stewards we can with the money for taxpayers. Making sure everyone is in agreement that this is not our money to deal with as we see fit. Help them understand the gravity of the role we’re in, the trust the public has placed in us and the problems that occur when we’re not responsible with equipment and how that hurts the county.
Who is someone in a leadership position that you think is doing a good job?
My parents love Gov. Andy Beshear since they’re up in Kentucky. I think it’s impressive what he’s been able to do as a Democrat in a red state, getting bipartisan support, focusing on the day-to-day issues that impact the citizens of Kentucky and not getting bogged down in culture wars.
Nick McBride
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 56
Occupation: Knox County register of deeds
Nick McBride
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
The state watchdog agency has said the Trustee’s Office has not been a good steward of taxpayer resources. What specifically will you do to ensure county residents trust the office is meeting high ethical standards?
I agree that the trustee has not been a responsible steward of taxpayer resources. Leadership begins with setting the right example, and that means following the laws and rules ensuring that every member of the staff does the same.
If elected, I will uphold these standards. I will continue to serve taxpayers with the same conservative approach, honesty and integrity that my record already reflects. My commitment is simple: follow the laws and rules, protect public resources, and put the taxpayers first with great customer service.
How would you change the Trustee’s Office? What works well and what doesn’t?
There are several changes I would make in the Trustee’s Office. First and foremost, I want to restore trust. Citizens deserve confidence that the person they elected is acting responsibly and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.
I would put an end to the reckless spending by returning the expensive trucks and reducing unnecessary payroll costs. I would also reevaluate the office’s operating systems to ensure they are efficient, cost-effective and aligned with conservative principles.
My goal is simple: make sound decisions, eliminate waste, and manage taxpayer resources with the seriousness and integrity they deserve.
Begin using AI to process tax payments and look at other effective uses of AI in the office and begin having multiple tax sales yearly.
How will you ensure taxpayers know what resources are available to them from your office?
I believe there are several effective ways to ensure taxpayers understand the resources available through the Trustee’s Office. Social media has changed how we communicate, and it can be a valuable tool, but it shouldn’t stand alone. A clear, user-friendly website gives citizens an easy way to see what each office provides and how those services benefit the community.
Partnerships also matter. Working with other county offices and engaging community organizations when new programs or information becomes available helps broaden awareness and ensures people hear about services from multiple trusted sources. A well-trained, friendly staff is essential as well ‒ they are often the first point of contact and play a major role in how the public experiences the office.
Traditional communication still has value, too. Sending information through the mail, meeting with veteran’s groups, community associations and keeping local media and print outlets informed, helps reach residents who may not use digital platforms. It all about maintaining transparency, being consistent, and communicating in ways that meet people where they are.
What professional experience do you have that sets you apart from your opponents?
I believe what truly sets me apart is the combination of my professional experience, educational background and deep institutional knowledge. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tusculum University. I have also completed the Certified Public Manager Program and the Local Government Leadership program through the University of Tennessee Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership. In addition, I am a Certified Public Administrator through the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service and a Certified Finance Officer through the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
For the past 7 1/2 years, I have served faithfully as your register of deeds, and I have been a dedicated steward of Knox County for more than 35 years. I have also participated in the FBI Citizens Academy, Leadership Knoxville 2024, the Knoxville Fire Department Citizens Academy, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority Aviation Academy to name a few.
Throughout my career in local government, I have focused on expanding my knowledge, strengthening my leadership skills and investing in the community I proudly call home.
Did you use AI assistance to help write your answer? If not, please write “n/a.” If so, please elaborate.
ChatGPT to help with punctuation and grammar.
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
How do you describe your leadership style within the office and within the government in general?
I let my employees grow. I keep them informed of decisions and I get their input. I try to carry myself well in the building. I try to get along with other officials. If I’m elected as trustee, there’s a lot of interaction with other elected officials. I’ve taken tons of leadership classes. We are there to serve the public. That’s what I’ve done for over 35 years. I love being a public servant. People come into our office with a problem. Working with other officials to solve that problem is key to me.
The Trustee’s Office was at the center of a state investigation into officeholders’ ethics compliance. How will you ensure you and your staff are adhering to ethics guidelines, and how will you work to build trust with residents?
I think my track record speaks for itself. I’ve been in and around (local government) for over 35 years. I take extensive training. I just finished the certified financial officer program that’s administered by the comptroller’s office. I take ethics classes. I’ve been involved in government classes through the University of Tennessee. When we have one official that loses the trust of the public, it hurts all of us. I think my years of being register of deeds these past 7.5 years ‒ the ability to pivot during COVID-19 to make sure the real estate market didn’t slow down, the ability to have separation of duties. You have to have separation of duties. The comptroller drills that into our minds. One person will do the timecards and then there’s another employee that signs off on that. When you go to the county government, it’s the people’s money. It’s not ours.
Who is someone in a leadership position that you think is doing a good job?
Trent Clagg. He is the program manager at the UT Navy Center for Effective Leadership. (I admire) the way he carries himself, the way he communicates with people, how he makes everyone feel welcome. He’s just a good Christian man, good morals.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County trustee primary election voter’s guide: Meet the candidates
