As they consider county policy to put before the voters, some on Knox County's Charter Review Committee want to see four fewer options in the voting booth.
The Committee is tasked with reviewing the county's charter every eight years. So far, an issue dominating discussion is the Uniformed Officers' Pension Plan, but another idea calls for changing how some county department heads get their jobs.
"Having these fee offices classified as charter offices will bring a lot of accountability to county government," said Charter Review Committee Member John Schmid.
Shmid, along with Knox County Commissioner Dr. Richard Briggs, are vocal in their desire to to see the Property Assessor, Register of Deeds, County Clerk and Trustee changed from "fee offices" to "charter offices".
"By labeling them charter offices basically means their power comes from the charter, not necessarily the state legislature or the Tennessee constitution," Schmid said.
Under the plan, those positions become mayoral appointments. But Tim Burchett wants no such authority.
"Politically, I should want that power," he said. "But I think it's wrong to take that power away from the people."
Supporters say the move would eliminate "salary suits", the current policy of filing a lawsuit with the county to be reimbursed for employee pay.
"You have to follow multiple budget processes to understand what's going on in county government, and I don't think that's good for the taxpayer. I don't think that's good for just good government," Schmid said.
Burchett contends that the confusing policy was cleared up shortly after taking office and calls it a non-issue.
"There still is more or less a salary suit, but it's just a much more agreed upon procedure that it goes through, and I think it's something that everyone is much more comfortable with," he said.
Ultimately the decision will lie with voters, if the committee decides to put it on the November ballot.
Burchett doesn't believe the idea has enough support to even make it to a ballot referendum.