During this afternoon’s November 9, 2026, Knox County Commission discussion, Commissioner Shane Jackson asked Knox County Finance Director Chris Caldwell what accounted for the reported 100% increase in Knox County Chancery Court collections.

Caldwell initially pointed to changes in the State of Tennessee’s filing fee structure. While that explanation accurately addressed the nominal increases in collections for Knox County Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court, it didn’t tell the whole story when it came to Chancery Court.

That’s where the Mega Bullhorn of Truth stepped in with a follow-up question.

We messaged Caldwell directly and asked:

“Could Chancery collections be up because of the June 2026 delinquent property tax sale?”

That tax sale was conducted on June 2, 2026, by then-Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs and his team.

Caldwell confirmed that was indeed the explanation, responding:

“Yes, that is correct. It didn’t dawn on me until Linda (a Trustee legal assistant) mentioned it afterwards.”

And there it was — the missing piece of the puzzle.

The significant increase in Chancery Court collections wasn’t simply the result of changes to Tennessee’s filing fee structure. The June 2 delinquent property tax sale also contributed to the substantial increase.

It’s an important distinction when looking at Knox County’s financial numbers. Understanding not just that collections increased, but why they increased, provides taxpayers and commissioners with a much clearer picture of what is actually happening with county revenues.

Sometimes, the right follow-up question makes all the difference.

During, his first quarterly report to the Finance Committee, Trustee James N. McBride told the Commission Committee, the staff are working on 1,500 potential properties for a 2027 delinquent property tax sale. The clock is set and ticking.