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City council approves budget first reading, delays final vote to May 26
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Summary
Knoxville City Council approved first‑reading budget ordinances and voted to postpone the second reading and final vote four weeks to May 26 to allow legislative budget hearings and more public review.
Knoxville City Council approved the first reading of the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget Tuesday evening and voted to delay the second reading to May 26 to allow additional public hearings and review.
The mayor introduced the budget and said the administration will present department overviews during legislative budget hearings scheduled for May 7; the mayor described the proposal as a leaner package that preserves core services while keeping the city’s tax rate unchanged since 1974. “Public safety is job one, and this budget reflects that,” the mayor said during the report to council.
Vice Mayor Fugate moved to postpone the second reading for four weeks; the motion carried after council discussion. Council members cited a desire for more time to review departmental details and for a public hearing record to be considered before final adoption. Council member Parker said the extra time gives the public an opportunity to weigh in during the scheduled hearings and signaled she will use the legislative budget hearing to press for additional detail on specific line items.
Council members also discussed compensation changes included in the package: a 1.5% increase to general government pay scales and step increases for uniformed employees. Betsy Cunningham, director of human resources, told council the ordinance implements previously approved pay‑scale adjustments rather than individual merit raises.
The council’s postponement means staff will appear at the May 7 hearings to answer detailed questions; the second reading and final vote have been scheduled for May 26.
