The County Commission is responding to questions raised by an employee's use of county computers to run a private business during work time by having its attorney speak with committee chairmen about employment policies.
"I am asking all of the chairmen on certain committees to get with our attorney and be briefed on the duties of the Hamilton County Commission, which we will follow and uphold to the letter," Chairman Fred Skillern said. "I want all of us to be aware of that."
County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said he plans no reports on these discussions. He said the county's ethics committee can investigate only if it receives a written complaint.
Alan Knowles, superintendent of support services for the Public Works Department and the son of Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles, acknowledged Tuesday he handled business for Dove Ministries Inc., doing business as DMI Concerts, during county work hours.
E-mails he provided show the extent to which Knowles used his county work computer and e-mail account to communicate with others, including his brother and sister, about DMI during work hours. DMI, a nonprofit company, books Christian concerts for Chattanooga.
Knowles earns $64,555 a year in his county position.
IRS records show Knowles also earned $157,345 as DMI president since 2007.