Mayor Kincannon's Proposed Budget Invests in Public Safety, Housing, Infrastructure
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon today proposed her $461.6 million net budget with a pledge to see transformational projects through to the finish line.
Mayor Kincannon’s budget emphasizes addressing the priorities set by her and City constituents over the past five years: Enhancing public safety, “being brilliant at the basics,” relieving the acute shortage of housing (especially affordable housing), creating jobs and equitable economic opportunities, and investing in public infrastructure.
The proposed budget is balanced, and the City’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value – the lowest tax rate since 1974.
“Knoxville is on a roll,” the Mayor said this morning (Friday, April 26, 2024) in her State of the City Address. “And this budget reflects our commitment to completion.”
Mayor Kincannon touted the continuity in Knoxville’s strong and forward-thinking leadership, telling the crowd of more than 350 gathered at the Tennessee Amphitheater at World’s Fair Park: “Good ideas can take years to realize.”
“Our Urban Wilderness is one example of a unique amenity for our city that has been years in the making,” she said.
Citing another example: An abandoned hospital was converted into a new Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville, and “having our Police, Fire, E-911 and KEMA headquartered in this repurposed space is already catalyzing new investments in higher education, housing, and retail,” she said.
Construction is almost completed for the Empath Center, which will open this summer and provide acute medical and behavioral health services on the Public Safety Complex campus.
The State of the City gathering was staged at the Tennessee Amphitheater for two reasons: Guests got to see firsthand the preliminary work that’s underway to construct a street-level welcome center at the next-door Sunsphere, a collaboration between multiple partners. But the Mayor also announced funding to design a new canopy over the iconic 1982 World’s Fair Tennessee Amphitheater.
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Public Safety is Job #1. People deserve to be and feel safe in Knoxville. Public safety is a core, basic function of government, and this budget invests in the Police and Fire Departments and supports partnerships that address urgent public safety needs.
New Burlington fire station
• $3 million to begin construction of a modern new Fire Station No. 6
Safe roads
• $11.7 million for road safety investments – repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, guardrails, traffic signals
• More than $1.5 million for Vision Zero safety features
• $500,000 for speed bumps and other traffic-calming devices
Community partners
• $2.7 million – grants and service contracts to public-safety partners, such as ChildHelp, the Metro Drug Coalition, Young-Williams Animal Center, Turn Up Knox
• Also funded: youth empowerment & violence prevention grants
Recruiting / retaining first responders
• $3.9 million – targeted pay increases for front-line police officers
• Will bring starting pay for new officers to $56,000 and boost pay for experienced officers
• Incentive pay being increased for Fire Department Advanced EMTs and paramedics
• Stipends for Advanced EMTs will increase to $3,750 a year; for paramedics to $8,000 a year
• $1.8 million – KFD equipment, training resources and support for new class of firefighter recruits
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The City strives to ensure Knoxville is a great place to live – no matter your neighborhood – no matter your income. This budget supports affordable housing and projects and partners that enhance the quality of life across our community.
Knoxville Affordable Housing Fund
• $8 million total
• $4.2 million – Transforming Western
• $2.5 million – Affordable Rental Development Fund
• $1.1 million – permanent supportive housing
• In partnership with the United Way of Greater Knoxville and generous donors, > $2 million in private dollars will support the City’s affordable housing programs
• The new private funding extends the reach of affordable housing initiatives to assist another 200 families and individuals
Community support
• Community Agency Grants – $1.5 million
• Many non-profit partners, such as McNabb Center, Mental Health Association of ET, provide mental health and other health services
• Others, such as Girl Talk, Emerald Youth Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 100 Black Men, provide enriching youth-serving programs
• Dozens of arts and culture non-profit organizations supported with $648,500 in grants
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The City is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, operating more efficiently, and delivering a more sustainable and resilient city to future generations.
Park upgrades
• $7 million for improvements to parks and recreational facilities, including significant investments at:
- Lakeshore Park
- Williams Creek Golf Course
- World’s Fair Park
- Continued development of new Lonsdale park
Roofs & HVAC equipment
• $1 million for repairs, upgrades
Sustainability initiatives
• $100,000 for energy efficiency, public charging infrastructure
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A healthy economy supports a healthy community, and vice versa. This budget supports Knoxville as a great place to work, to invest, to visit, start a business, and to raise a family.
Job creation
• $3 million to support City’s key economic development partners, including:
- Knoxville Chamber
- Knoxville’s Community Development Corp.
- Visit Knoxville
- Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
- Centro Hispano
Internet access
• Funding increased to $860,000 to support KUB’s Student Internet Access Program – free broadband to low-income student households
Zoo Knoxville
• $2.4 million – operational support plus funding for a new Rhino Habitat exhibit and the Ravine floating boardwalk
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