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Kyle Walker says his decision to run again for the Hamblen County Commission is rooted in the belief that there is still important work ahead as the county continues to grow.

Walker, who is married and has four children and eight grandchildren, says his time in office has given him a deeper understanding of how county government functions and the challenges that come with it.

“When I first got into this, I wasn’t fully advanced on how our government ran,” Walker said. “It took classes and years within it for me to understand how it works.”

That learning process, he explained, is one of the reasons he wants to continue serving.

“I feel like I still have a lot to do and accomplish,” he said.

Walker believes the county commission has made progress in recent years by working together to address growth and infrastructure needs across Hamblen County.

“The commission is working well together to help with growth in Hamblen County,” he said.

Population growth, he noted, has created new demands for infrastructure and public services. Housing development has increased steadily, and with it comes the need for roads, utilities, and other services to keep pace.

“In the last four years we’ve seen some of the biggest growth,” Walker said.

As a result, he believes commissioners will face several difficult decisions in the coming years.

Infrastructure is one area that will require continued attention. Walker said the county will need to determine whether existing schools can accommodate future enrollment or if new facilities will be necessary.

“We have to ask if we have enough schools,” he said. “Do we build more?”

Road conditions are another concern as the county expands.

“We have a lot more roads in desperate need of repair,” Walker said.

He pointed to specific issues in his district as well, including efforts to improve safety near Elgin Drive.

“We need a stop sign at Elgin Drive,” he said, noting that he has been working with the road department on the matter.

Walker also emphasized that Hamblen County provides several services that are not always common in surrounding counties, including door to door garbage collection and bulk pickup services for residents.

“These are things people depend on,” he said.

Despite ongoing debates about taxes, Walker pointed out that Hamblen County maintains one of the lowest tax rates in East Tennessee.

“Hamblen County has the lowest tax rate in East Tennessee,” he said.

He also explained that rising property values do not necessarily mean a tax increase, even though residents may see changes when property reappraisals occur.

Reappraisals, which are mandated every four years by the state, adjust the assessed value of property based on market conditions.

“That doesn’t mean the commission voted for a property tax increase,” Walker said.

Higher property values, he added, can also benefit homeowners by increasing the equity in their homes.

“My home went up four times what I paid for it in 1998,” Walker said. “That’s like money in the bank.”

Public safety is another issue Walker says deserves continued attention. He believes law enforcement officers and school resource officers should receive competitive salaries for the work they perform each day.

“They risk their lives every day,” he said.

The county recently secured a state grant to help fund additional school resource officers, allowing commissioners to approve the addition of five new SRO positions.

“That grant helped us add five officers,” Walker said.

Walker also believes that all county employees should see pay increases as the cost of living continues to rise.

“County employees deserve raises too,” he said.

The construction of the new county jail has been one of the most widely discussed projects in recent years. Walker said he believes the facility will serve the county for decades.

“That jail should last twenty to thirty years,” he said.

While the project required a significant investment, Walker believes it will help meet the county’s needs well into the future.

Walker often emphasizes that he does not see himself as a career politician.

“I’m not a bona fide politician,” he said. “I’m a citizen.”

He describes himself as someone guided by faith and a sense of responsibility to the community.

“I’m honest and God fearing,” Walker said.

Walker also supports the concept of term limits and believes public service should not become a lifelong position.

“I don’t want to be here the rest of my life,” he said.

Ultimately, Walker says his goal is simple: to make decisions that benefit the community and help Hamblen County continue to grow in a responsible way.

“I want what is best for Hamblen County,” he said.

As the election approaches, Walker says he respects the democratic process and the voters who will ultimately decide the outcome.

“If I lose to an opponent, I will gladly shake their hand,” he said.