Knoxville City Manager Harold Stewart tells KNIA/KRLS News that Jim Mitchell is returning to Knoxville to fulfill the role of fire chief. Mitchell was on the Knoxville Fire and Knoxville Rural Fire Departments several years ago before leaving to serve on the Urbandale and Des Moines Fire Departments. He has been serving as the Assistant Chief of Operations for Urbandale and as a fire fighter and paramedic on the Des Moines department.

Stewart says that Mitchell was a qualified candidate through the process that resulted in the hire of Chief Nick Bonstell, who recently tendered his resignation from the position. He will begin on a part time basis on Sept. 23rd and will work 3 days a week. After his family successfully transitions to Knoxville he will begin working in a full time capacity on December 1, 2013.

His appointment to the position is subject to Council approval at the regular Council meeting on Sept. 16th.