Despite the rain, it was a packed house at this year's State of the City Address on April 26, 2023 in Western Heights.

More than 600 people came together under a massive tent to hear Mayor Indya Kincannon present her proposed budget.





The nearly 20 minute address highlighted great spaces in Knoxville and the collective work that goes into creating and maintaining them.

Fittingly, the luncheon was held in the Western Heights / Beaumont community – site of the Transforming Western initiative, a more than $200 million collaborative plan to revamp, renew and reconnect Knoxville’s largest public housing community.

Mayor Kincannon also gave a nod to former Mayors and their risk-taking that led to some of Knoxville’s most valued treasures like the Urban Wilderness, our revitalized downtown, and World’s Fair Park.

There were many special moments throughout the afternoon including a moving rendition of the National Anthem by the Appalachian Equality Chorus, the reading of a new poem by our Poet Laureate Rhea Carmon, and recognition of Veteran Wilford Slade as the Mayor announced $500,000 for Liberty Place- a permanent supportive housing project exclusively for Veterans. 

The proposed net budget totals $432.9 million. Of that, the General Fund – which is the City’s main operating fund – is $304 million.

Here are some of the notable items funded in this year’s budget:

• $7.5 million for affordable housing, including the $4.2 million for Transforming Western
• $2 million for Lakeshore Park 
• $1 million for Lonsdale Park 
• More than $4.5 million for local non-profit partners to complement City services
• Nearly $12 million to create and maintain safe streets for all types of users
• And, $1.3 million in support for economic development partners, such as the Knoxville Chamber, Centro Hispano and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center

To read more specifics of this year’s budget, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/Budget.