KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Trustee-elect John Duncan III announced Thursday that he plans to hire an in-house tax attorney, saying that will save Knox County taxpayers nearly a million dollars over the course of his four-year term.

Duncan says he plans to tap Chad Tindell for the post, currently held by contracted attorney Albert Harb. A source inside the Knox County Trustee's office who asked not to be identified because of the political nature of the job said having an in-house delinquent tax lawyer working out of the Trustee's office would be a welcome change.

“This move signals a new approach to the Trustee’s office," Duncan said in a news release. "During the campaign, I promised to eliminate waste and restore trust. Bringing the tax attorney’s work in-house accomplishes both goals. It will be fiscally efficient and creates accountability.”

Duncan says using an outside tax attorney costs the County around $300,000 per year, and that number is closer to $350,000 for FY2010. Tindell's salary will be approximately $100,000.

Under the current structure, Harb gets to keep 10 percent of tax revenue that he successfully collects. Tindell, however, will get a flat salary, and will not get a cut of delinquent taxes he helps collect, Duncan says.

"[Duncan's] decision to hire an attorney in the Trustee’s office is a serious change in the way the Trustee’s office does business, a change that will carry forward for many years to come,” Tindell said in the news release. “Implementing sound business practices which result in substantial cost savings and greater accountability is the kind of leadership we need in local government. I look forward to serving the Trustee’s office in a professional, competent manner.”

Tindell is part owner of Stone & Hinds, P.C., and his law practice has focused on property, collections, foreclosures, construction liens, bankruptcy and business transactions, the news release says.