Knoxville City Manager Harold Stewart says they’re excited to have Jim Mitchell take over as Knoxville Fire Chief. Stewart tells KNIA/KRLS News when Nick Bonstell tendered his resignation for family reasons, they reached out to Mitchell and asked if he was still interested. Mitchell was a finalist for the position when Bonstell was selected, and Stewart says the selection panel had a hard time deciding whether to recommend Mitchell or Bonstell then. He says they’ve done a refresher interview and also met with the full fire department this week. Stewart believes the department is behind Jim and excited to have him as chief. Mitchell is a Knoxville native. He will begin serving part-time on the 23rd as his family transitions before beginning full-time December 1st.