| APRIL | ARCHIVES |
Thanks for attending my State of the City Address. In case you missed it, here are some highlights!
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The State of the City Address 2024
 Commitment to Completion! That was the theme of Mayor Indya Kincannon’s 2024 State of the City Address on April 26.
Despite the rain, hundreds of people joined the Mayor at the Tennessee Amphitheatre in World’s Fair Park for the morning address, which was a departure from the traditional luncheon.
Vice-Mayor Tommy Smith kicked off the event, which also featured a knock-out performance of the National Anthem by City Parks and Recreation employee Loriah Smith.
During her address, Mayor Kincannon proposed more than $3.9 million for targeted pay increases for front-line police officers, increased incentive pay for Fire Department Advanced EMTs and paramedics, and, for the first-time ever, announced more than $2 million in private donations, on top of the $8 million being budgeted, to help bolster our affordable housing efforts.
After a brief video was shown highlighting several City staffers, Mayor Kincannon said, “This video highlights the biggest and most important part of our city budget - the people. The people who keep Knoxville running every day. The people who do their jobs with skill and grace. The people who work hard, and who have some fun along the way.”
To see more highlights from the event and to learn more about the budget click the button below.
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Meet Your Neighborhood Firefighters
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Community-building Stadium: Halfway Completed!
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Horticulture Improves, Beautifies Krutch Park Ext.
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City Job Fair Showcases Teamwork
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 Free Summer Camp
Are you taking advantage of our newest City employee benefit?
A few weeks ago, Mayor Kincannon announced that summer camp at City community centers would be free for all employees.
This benefit saves you time searching for summer activities, and of course money!
An added bonus: your kids will have an amazing summer meeting new friends and exploring all the activities City Parks & Rec. offers.
Not convinced this is right for your family? Click on the button below to learn more plus take a look at video highlights from last year's summer camp program.
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Longest-serving City Employee
Celebrates 50 Years Loving His Job
 Friends and co-workers ask Rodney Wilson the same question – a lot. After 50 years on the job, doesn’t he want to go to the house, kick up his feet, and happily retire?
But Rodney has a different way of looking at it.
"My theory of living long and well is to keep the body in motion," he says. "People are always telling me I should retire. But I love my job. I love working with my hands. I love keeping busy.
"I love the people I work with, and I love the public.”
Rodney, a Fleet Services Equipment Technician, first came to work for the City in March 1973. He’s currently the City's longest-serving employee.
He values doing a job the right way. He’s ingrained with a work ethic that never quits. And he’s always eager to share a joke or help a co-worker.
"There is not a single blade of grass in any park in this City that hasn't been cut by a mower blade sharpened by Rodney Wilson," Fleet Services Director Nicholas Bradshaw says. "But more than Rodney's years, it's his commitment to teamwork, and his dedication, that people admire.
"He's a true professional. He was our Employee of the Year a few years back. Rodney is a great employee and a great person."
Click the button below to check out a video of Rodney on the job!
Check Out These New Interactive Parks and Greenways Maps!
 The newest tool for discovering Knoxville, Knox County and Farragut outdoor adventures – an interactive map of countywide parks and greenways – is now available at visitor centers and community centers.
Mayor Kincannon touted the free maps at her State of the City gathering last week, and guests were treated with handouts as they left the event.
The large green full-color maps use QR codes to give nature lovers quick and easy access to deep details about public outdoor amenities waiting to be discovered.
For more information, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/GetOutside.
Or get a paper copy of the map at Visit Knoxville, visitor centers, the Lakeshore Park Admin Building, or community / recreation centers. You can also download a PDF of the map or request a printed copy through email at [email protected].
For a real-life demonstration of how to use the map to pick and personalize your adventure, click on the button below to see a video by Baker Center intern Jeloux Enriquez.
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 This month’s Mystery Employee is new to the City and new to Knoxville, so we don’t expect you to guess their identity immediately.
But here are some identifying factors:
Her favorite foods are Salvadorean, Vietnamese, Ethiopian.
She published her first graphic novel in March.
And she is finishing up her PhD.
Are you ready to meet your new colleague?
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 Happy anniversary to employees hired in the month of April!
Congratulations to the individuals and departments that recently won awards and KUDOS.
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CITY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT |