Knox County Register Of Deeds

Knox County Commission to table fee office proposal today

The Knox County Commission today expects to table for 30 days a proposal to take control of some fee office budgets now that the mayor and register of deeds — the one holdout to the proposal — are working through the issue.

'I think we both have the same objective, and we've both been in government a long time and I think we can get a compromise worked out where we can both agree on the objective,' said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett , adding that he met with Register of Deeds Sherry Witt last week. 'We're not that far apart, so if we slow down, we can get there a little faster.'

Witt agreed.

'I'm hopeful that we can all work together, and we can come to a compromise that I feel comfortable with in regards to my duties as register of deeds, protecting my employees and protecting the taxpayers of Knox County,' she said.

At issue is a proposal by commissioners — and backed by the mayor — to take more control over the staffing levels and salaries for half the county's fee offices — the trustee, the register of deeds and county clerk. The commission was expected to vote on the plan during its regular meeting today.

Now it looks as though they won't, said Commissioner Richard Briggs, who is sponsoring the plan.

'I think (Witt) was concerned that there were things she needed to run her office and the money wouldn't be there and it would fall negatively on her,' he said late last week.

Right now, the fee offices file salary lawsuits in Knox County Chancery Court, outlining much of the departments' annual spending plans. The mayor as a matter of protocol signs off on the suits.

Under the new plan, the offices, much like the school system and Sheriff's Office, would submit budgets to the mayor first for initial review and then to the commission for final approval.

As it stands, Trustee John Duncan III and County Clerk Foster Arnett Jr. support the plan.

Mike Donila may be reached at 865-342-6305. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mikedonila.

perhaps she does not want to report in detail her expenditures because of the cost to do so......??? At least that might be her explaination????

After all, the general public might not be smart enough to understand what 'post it expenses' or employee salaries might entail and that might make her nervous.

who knows, but I sure would like to hear her reasoning why her offices are unable to explain them self to the tax payer.

The David Pozy Show – Episode 3 – “Sherry Witt, Knox County ...

David’s third show was today, Sunday, February 27, 2011. Thank you to everyone who listened, called, tweeted, or joined us on our live chat . We’ll see you this upcoming Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 2-3pm on 100.3 WNOX FM.

Topics discussed:

County Courthouse Book

Sourcebook to Public Record Information, The Comprehensive Guide to County, State, & Federal Public Records Sources

Governments in Knox County

A standard history of Kansas and Kansans

Legislative Record