Knoxville City Council gets a new vice mayor

Allie Feinberg, Knoxville News Sentinel
·1 min read
Councilman and Vice Mayor Tommy Smith speaks with new council member Debbie Halsley ahead of a Knoxville City Council meeting following Mayor Indya Kincannon's inauguration for her second term at the City County Building Dec. 16, 2023.

Knoxville City Council member Tommy Smith will serve as vice mayor after his fellow council members elected him to the position Dec. 16. The vice mayor manages council staff members and organizes workshops.

Smith, who represents the south side of the city, succeeds former vice mayor Andrew Roberto.

Councilmembers Gwen McKenzie, Lauren Rider and Charles Thomas said after the vote it was a tough decision. They elected Smith because they wanted to share the vice mayor's responsibilities different members.

Rider, who represents the northwest neighborhoods, will serve as beer board chair and at-large Councilmember Debbie Helsley will be council's representative to the Knoxville Transit Authority board.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: South Knoxville's Tommy Smith to serve as city council vice mayor