City Holds Annual Budget Retreat Feb. 10, 2017

At today’s annual budget retreat at the City's new Public Works Service Center, Mayor Madeline Rogero and her staff presented updates to City Council, including a review of the mid-year budget and status reports on major City initiatives.

"The forecast is positive," said Finance Director Jim York.

Strengths include both the local option sales tax and state shared sales tax revenues, as well as more efficient delivery of services such as residential garbage collection.

York noted that independent experts have evaluated the City's finances and given the City high bond ratings: A highest-available AAA rating by Finch, an Aa1 rating by Moody's, and a AA plus rating by Standard & Poor's.

York said the Finch rating is "rare." Only nine governments in Tennessee received a AAA rating.

Mayor Rogero said the City will continue to look for ways to more efficiently and effectively deliver valuable services while strategically investing public funds to maximize private development investments.

Mayor Rogero, Deputy to the Mayor Bill Lyons, Public Service Director Chad Weth and Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh presented updates on a number of City initiatives.

Mayor Rogero led a discussion on several topics, including equity and transportation issues. As a case study on public engagement and strategic public investment, Lyons detailed how the $17 million Cumberland Avenue reconstruction project has helped leverage $190 million in private investment while creating a vibrant, walkable environment. Weth discussed steps being taken to modernize and streamline operations. Walsh described the "collaborative" and "impactful" Urban Wilderness and plans for new trails being designed and built this year.


BUDGET INFORMATION

2017-2018 Budget Information
Six Month Financial Report [PDF]
Budget Retreat Presentation - Financial Update [PDF]
Budget Retreat Presentation - Projects Update [PDF]
Budget Archives (Budgets from 2001-current year)

BUDGET CALENDAR

February 10, 2017 – City of Knoxville Budget Retreat and Six Month Financial Report released
February - April, 2017 – Departments Submit Budget Requests, Base Numbers Calculated, and Capital Budget Prepared
March 22 - March 24, 2017 – Mayor’s Budget Hearings
April 28, 2017 – Mayor’s State of the City
May 9, 2017 – First Reading of Budget and Tax Ordinances
May 11, 2017 – MPC Hearing on Capital Improvement Program
May 12, 2017 – Council Budget Hearings and Public Hearing
May 23, 2017 – Second Reading of Budget and Tax Ordinances