Knox County Commissioner Ed Shouse announced his intentions
to seek the Trustee seat, and interim Trustee Craig Leuthold turned in his paperwork
to appoint a campaign treasurer.
“The main role of
Trustee is collecting and investing the county’s tax dollars, hundreds of
millions of dollars a year, so having someone with a business and financial
background, like myself, makes sense,” said Shouse, an at-large commissioner,
and former Knoxville City Council member.
Shouse, who serves on the county’s audit committee, pension
board and investment committee, spent 20 years in the banking industry followed
by 17 years in the shortline railroad industry.
He will face Leuthold in the May republican Primary. The
general election is set for August.
Leuthold is a former a two-term commissioner, who spent 16
years in the Trustee’s Office and more than two years in the Property
Assessor’s Office.
“I’ve got 19 years experience in the property tax profession
and I think that when people call in and have concerns they want someone with
knowledge and experience, and I can help with questions and concerns,” he said.
“I think that’s invaluable.”
The Knox County Commission in late July appointed Leuthold
to fill out the remainder former Trustee John Duncan III’s term, which ends
Aug. 31. Duncan resigned and pleaded guilty to official misconduct in early
July.
Leuthold and Shouse were among 26 applicants who applied for
the job. But Shouse pulled out, saying he didn’t want the community to feel
that he got the job because he was on the commission.
The board then selected Leuthold.
The Trustee is the county’s top tax collection. The position
pays about $113,000 annually and is responsible for 30 to 45 employees
depending on tax season.
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