PBA to pick new leader in October

Burritt

Local leaders are expected to go in-house when they fill the soon-to-be vacant executive director post for the Knoxville-Knox County Public Building Authority, but that won't be until October.

The PBA board on Tuesday was initially set to vote on whether to hire Jayne Burritt, the office's current director of property management, to succeed longtime director Dale Smith, who is stepping down Jan. 1.

However, officials said they wanted to give the public the chance to weigh in, so they opted to hold off until the board's next meeting, which isn't until Oct. 1.

"We'll make the offer then," said PBA Chairman Winston Frazier.

The recommendation to appoint Burritt initially came from Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett late last month, although the board makes the final decision.

Burritt joined the PBA in early 2008 and helps oversee security and maintenance for about 1.5 million square feet of facilities, including parking garages, World’s Fair Park and the City County Building. She is over roughly 100 employees and a $12 million budget.

Officials are expected to offer Burritt $150,000 in annual salary to take over the position.