When the Knox County Commission meets on Monday, September 28, 2026, Commission Chair Terry Hill has placed Item #40, Resolution R-26-9-901, on the preliminary agenda’s Consent Agenda.

The resolution, titled Consideration of a Resolution of the Commission of Knox County, Tennessee, would approve a contract with Pinnacle Bank for the administration of Knox County Government employees’ Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA). The item falls under Benefits. (CONTRACT LINK BELOW)

A Request for Discussion and Transparency

Items placed on the Consent Agenda are generally considered together without individual discussion unless a commissioner requests that an item be removed for separate consideration.

I am calling on Commissioners Angela Russell, Andy Fox, Barry Beeler, Garrett Holt, Justin Cofer and Vice Chair Adam Thompson to request that Item #40 be pulled from the Consent Agenda and discussed separately.

I am also asking that Commissioner Shane Jackson abstain from voting on this resolution and that the Commission address any potential conflict-of-interest concerns before proceeding.

Questions About Commissioner Jackson’s Professional Connection

According to his Pinnacle Bank profile, Commissioner Jackson serves as a Financial Advisor and Area Manager.

The proposed contract involves financial account administration for Knox County Government employees, while Jackson’s professional role is with the bank seeking the contract.

That connection raises questions about whether Jackson has any professional or financial interest in the proposed agreement and whether he should participate in the Commission’s consideration or vote. The specific terms of the contract, including its financial value and any potential benefit to Jackson, should be examined before drawing conclusions.

The Timing Raises Additional Questions

On September 1, 2026, Terry Hill became Commission Chair following a vote that included Jackson, his fellow Democratic commissioners Damon Rawls, Courtney Durrett, and Brandon Huckaby, as well as Republican Commissioner Holt.

Now, in her first agenda as Chair, Hill has included a proposed contract involving Jackson’s employer.

The timing and circumstances warrant public scrutiny and a clear explanation of the proposed agreement, the selection process, and any potential conflicts of interest.

What Commissioners and the Public Should Know

Before the Commission approves Resolution R-26-9-901, the public deserves answers to several questions:

• What are the financial terms and duration of the proposed contract with Pinnacle Bank? A cliff note version of the contract
• How was Pinnacle Bank selected to administer these employee benefit accounts?
• Does Commissioner Jackson have any financial or professional interest in the contract?
• Has the Commission reviewed whether Jackson’s participation would create a conflict of interest?
• Why is this item being placed on the Consent Agenda rather than presented for separate discussion?

Knox County residents and employees deserve transparency regarding contracts involving public employee benefits.

I believe this resolution should be pulled from the Consent Agenda, discussed publicly, and considered only after the Commission has addressed the questions surrounding the proposed agreement and Commissioner Jackson’s professional connection to Pinnacle Bank.