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Mark Johns, candidate for District 8 seat on the Hamblen County Commission in the May primary, is hoping to make his “mark” in more ways than one.

Johns said that Hamblen County is at a crossroads.

“We need leaders who aren’t just reacting to today’s problems but are actively planning for the next decade,” Johns said. “I am committed to being an open, accessible, and level-headed representative for the people of District 8. As a lifetime resident of Hamblen County and a long-term homeowner in District 8, I am not looking to be a career politician; I am a citizen who believes our local government should be managed with the same precision and accountability we expect from any professional service. I often tell people that when you’re dealing with something important, you go to someone with the training and experience to handle it. If you have a serious health concern, you go to a doctor who is licensed and trained to diagnose and treat the problem correctly. Our county’s budget, our infrastructure, our Justice Center, our Schools and our property values deserve that same level of professional diagnosis and experienced leadership. I am running for County Commissioner in District 8 because I have spent my career gathering the right tools to implement a proactive plan for our future.”

Johns is seeking to bring what he describes as “a steady, experienced perspective” to local government. He has a decade of public service. He spent three years with Hamblen County government and eight years with the City of Morristown, where he currently serves as Chief Building Official.

“I understand the ‘nuts and bolts’ of how our community functions,” Johns said. “My background is a unique blend of private-sector and public-sector experience. For over 12 years, I owned and operated my own local businesses, an experience that taught me the reality of ‘counting the cost.’ I have transitioned that mindset into over a decade of public service, including three years with the Hamblen County Government and my current role as the City of Morristown’s Chief Building Official. This dual perspective allows me to bridge the gap between business efficiency and government service. I know and understand the differences between a private sector budget and a government budget. My first goal on the Commission is to seek multi-year fiscal planning. We must look five and ten years down the road to prepare for infrastructure needs so that we are never again hitting families with the “sticker shock” of sudden, massive tax jumps.

Johns’ campaign is built on three core values: Experience, Level-Headed Leadership and True Transparency.

“I will use my decade of experience in departmental budgeting to find real efficiencies,” Johns said. “Government budgeting is a unique animal; it requires someone who understands internal mechanics to truly manage it effectively. My primary goal is to prevent the kind of ‘sticker shock’ tax jumps we have recently seen by implementing proactive, multi-year fiscal planning rather than reactive increases.

“While no single representative can predict every challenge the county may face, I can promise this: I will use my experience to hunt for efficiencies within every department’s budget,” Johns said. “Managing a county budget requires a balance between necessary services and taxpayer protection. I understand how to identify waste and find efficiencies, and I am committed to treating government revenue as a sacred trust. Like you, I feel the weight of rising costs on my own family budget. As your Commissioner, I will work to ensure that every penny is accounted for and that we prioritize smart planning over reactive spending. These increases hit my wallet just like they do yours, and my goal is to ensure that a tax hike is always the absolute last resort—not the first option.”

While on the campaign trail, the top criticism he has heard from constituents is the recent tax hike by County Commission.

“As a long-time Hamblen County homeowner, I am just as frustrated as anyone,” he said. “To fix this, the Commission needs to start planning now for future fluctuations in property values. By preparing for these cycles early, we can avoid the need for massive, sudden jumps in the tax rate. Effective and smart planning isn’t just for buildings; it’s for the budget. Who among us, intending to build something, doesn’t sit down and count the cost first to see if they have enough to finish it? Effective planning isn’t just for the structure alone, but for the purse that sustains it. I am ready to lead that planning process to ensure our taxpayers are never caught off guard again.

“Throughout this campaign, residents have made it clear that protecting our neighborhoods and managing growth responsibly must remain a priority. This is where my specific technical training becomes a direct benefit to you. As a State Licensed Building and Electrical Codes Inspector, I plan to seek a “Preventative Maintenance Audit” for all county-owned facilities. By using my specialized training to identify small structural or electrical issues in projects like our $100 million Justice Center before they become million-dollar emergencies, we can save the taxpayers’ cost on avoidable repairs. Furthermore, I’m proud to offer specialized expertise as a Certified Property Maintenance Inspector. This certification—along with my state licenses—gives me a unique perspective on how to protect our community’s value. As such, I have a clear plan to protect your home’s equity. I understand the codes, and I will work to ensure fair but firm oversight so that one person’s neglect doesn’t diminish the value of the home you have worked a lifetime to build.”

Johns also called the soon-to-open Hamblen County Justice Center a “massive” investment of taxpayer dollars.

“My focus will be on ensuring we manage the maintenance and operational costs of our county facilities properly, so we never face another hurdle due to deferred maintenance,” he said. “During my time working for the County, I was in the old Justice Center frequently for maintenance. I saw firsthand the deterioration of that structure. While it was clear the old facility was aged and no longer met state standards, we are now in a new phase.

“It is too late for incoming commissioners to change the design or placement of the Justice Center, but it is our responsibility to budget correctly for the increased utilities, staffing, and preventative maintenance this facility requires. As a Building Official, I know that if you don’t maintain a new building from day one, it becomes a liability. I will bring level-headed oversight to the Commission to protect this over $100 million investment.”

Johns also wants to make sure that funding for Hamblen County Schools and for infrastructure keep pace to avoid overcrowding in classrooms. He has heard from many neighbors that some schools are already at or near capacity.

“With Hamblen County experiencing some of the most significant growth in the state, ‘showing the work’ through smart planning is the only way to ensure the best results for our students, parents, and teachers. Education must be a top priority,” he said. “While the School Board manages day-to-day policy, and I have the utmost confidence in their direction, it is the Commission’s job to ensure the funding and ‘big picture’ planning are there to support them.

“We cannot wait until a school is over capacity to start looking for solutions; we need to be transparent with the public and prepare for those new students before they arrive,” Johns said.

Johns’ commitment to the community is rooted with his family.

“My wife of 14 years, Tonya, and I have built our life here, and our children are continuing that path,” he said. “My son, Jairus, currently operates his own local electrical business, while my stepdaughter, Josie Helton, is hard at work pursuing her future in college. When I talk about the “nuts and bolts” of government, I’m thinking about the county my children and grandchildren will inherit. I want to ensure Hamblen County remains a place where small businesses can thrive and where the next generation has a solid, affordable foundation to call home.

“Ultimately, I believe that growth in Hamblen County should help pay for itself and that our existing residents shouldn’t bear the burden of poor planning. My plan for smart growth involves a thorough review of how new developments impact our schools, roads and other infrastructure before they are approved. From managing the ‘nuts and bolts’ of our infrastructure to protecting our wallets, I am ready to apply my specialized training to the challenges facing District 8. I’m not just a candidate; I’m a neighbor and a licensed professional who wants to ensure our county is built on a solid foundation.

Johns will face candidate Les Center in the May 5 primary election. Rodney Long currently serves as District 8 Commissioner.