The Key is a forward-looking weekly column on how to get involved by Knox News politics reporter Allie Feinberg. If you know of a meeting happening in the community, email Allie at allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com.
The second week of the month means there aren’t Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council meetings, but lots of decisions get made in the interim.
Here’s what I mean: The Knoxville-Knox County board that approves big new developments will meet, plus you’ll have a chance to get to know police officers in West Knoxville.
Before we go into details, allow me to look backward for a minute to some of the biggest political news from last week.
Knox County commissioner and former school board chair Terry Hill is pushing for ethics reform after current school board chair Betsy Henderson advocating for private school vouchers statewide. The Republican-majority Knox County school board voted against including vouchers in its 2025 legislative priorities.
Hill, in a rare public rebuke of a fellow Republican (watch the video above), spoke directly to Henderson during the board’s public comment.
“I represent the same constituency that you do, Ms. Henderson,” Hill said. “You have made the statement publicly and privately that because you were elected overwhelmingly, what you say represents your constituency. I will tell you, in fact, it does not.”
Also last week, former Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones confirmed to me he’s running again in 2026. Jones served as sheriff for 11 years, from 2007-2018. He was part of the mass removal known in Knox County political circles as Black Wednesday. He also implemented the county’s 287(g) contract, which deputizes local law enforcement to act on behalf of ICE to detain asylum seekers or undocumented immigrants in return for training and funding.
The Knox County Planning Commission will vote on a new development at the intersection of Hall Drive and Dutchtown Road near the Webb School campus in West Knox County. The land is reserved for agriculture, but developers want the commission to rezone to build 8.5 units per acre. That’s pretty dense for the edges of Knox County. Planning staff members are recommending the happy medium of dwelling five units per acre.
Important date: The commission will discuss and vote on developments at 1:30 p.m. March 13 in main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
What you can do: Have a comment? You can submit it online by 3 p.m. March 12 at knoxplanning.org/share.
Deadline: If you want to speak in front of the commission, sign up by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting by at knoxplanning.org/act.
Study up: You can view the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission agenda at knoxplanning.org/agenda.
If you’re a West Knoxville resident interested in community safety, KPD West District Commander Tracy Hunter will discuss trends in the district, crime prevention tips, answer questions and address the concerns of residents.
Important date: The council forum is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 11 at the Knoxville public works building, 3131 Morris Ave.
What you can do: Have your thoughts ready and show up! There are no deadlines to sign up to speak.
State Rep. Elaine Davis wants all government bodies to expand their public comment rules. Her bill comes as the Knoxville City Council is reconsidering its own rules following public comment periods that took hours as demonstrators spoke about issues that weren’t on the agenda.
At Knoxville City Council meetings, community members can speak about a specific agenda item when that item is discussed, and about any topic at the end of the meeting during a general public forum.
In recent years, demonstrators have found a workaround. They begin by talking about the agenda item, then pivot to the topic of their choice.
Important date: The Tennessee House will debate the bill at 3 p.m. ET March 10, and the Tennessee Senate’s State and Local Government Committee will debate it at 11:30 a.m. ET March 11.
What you can do: You can livestream the House session at wapp.capitol.tn.gov and the Senate committee hearing at wapp.capitol.tn.gov.
Study up: You also can find Davis’ bill (and the state Senate’s companion version) at wapp.capitol.tn.gov.
If you’re a West Knoxville resident interested in policing, KPD West District Commander Tracy Hunter will discuss ongoing crime trends in the district, crime prevention tips, answer questions and address the concerns of residents.
Important date: The council forum is from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. March 11 at the city public works building, 3131 Morris Avenue.
What you can do: Have your thoughts ready and show up! There’s no deadlines to sign up to speak for this meeting.
The Knox County Planning Commission will vote on whether to approve a new development at the intersection of Hall Drive and Dutchtown Road past Cedar Bluff. The land is currently reserved for agriculture, but developers want the commission to rezone it at 8.5 dwelling units per acre, a pretty significant jump. Knox County planning staff members are recommending the happy medium of dwelling units per acre.
Important date: The commission will discuss and vote on developments at 1:30 March 13 in main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
What you can do: Have a comment? You can submit it online by 3 p.m. on March 12 at www.knoxplanning.org/share.
Deadline: If you want to speak in front of the commission, sign up by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting by at https://knoxplanning.org/act.
Study up: You can view the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission agenda at https://knoxplanning.org/agenda/
Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.
