←All People
Phil Ballard
Office history
Current office
Phil Ballard serves as Knox County Assessor of Property, having been reelected in the August 2024 Republican primary for a term running through August 2028 12. He previously held the same office from 2008 to 2016 12.
Background and education
Ballard is a lifelong resident of East Knox County's Carter community, where he attended Carter High School and continues to reside with his wife, Cindy 2.
Career
Ballard worked for approximately 30 years in the insurance industry before entering public service 2. He was first elected Knox County Property Assessor in 2008 and served two terms through 2016, implementing technology improvements and staff training programs 12. He holds a Tennessee Real Estate License and the AAS designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers, and was voted East Tennessee Assessor of the Year by his peers 1. He returned to the office following his August 2024 election 12.
In August 2025, a Knox County grand jury indicted Ballard on a felony count of official misconduct, alleging that between September 2024 and January 2025, he simultaneously drew a county vehicle and a travel allowance in violation of county policy 34. A separate report indicated that Ballard and another individual acquired two parcels at a county tax sale in July 2024 for approximately $500 and subsequently sold them for more than $60,000 each 3. Ballard posted a $5,000 bond and continued to serve as Property Assessor as the case proceeded 34.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
-
State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Ballard”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Ballard”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Ballard”and, if needed, select the applicable position.