Jacobs spotlights mental‑health resources, sheriff funding and veterans services in final address

Mayor Glenn Jacobs used part of his final budget address to underscore investments in public safety, behavioral health and veterans services, citing expanded programs and increased department funding.

On behavioral health, Jacobs credited partnerships with the McNabb Center, the city, the state and hospital systems for creating the EMPATH walk‑in center for adults in crisis and for establishing a mental‑health court to divert people into treatment. "These programs assist those suffering from behavioral health issues, get the help they need, and they free up police and criminal justice resources," he said.

Jacobs said funding for the sheriff's office has increased by nearly $30 million during his tenure and noted large salary increases for corrections and patrol staff at various points. He also said the county has fully funded required contributions to defined‑benefit plans. The mayor itemized equipment funding including $1.9 million for vehicles and $2.2 million for body cameras and other equipment.

On veterans, Jacobs said the Knox County Veterans Services Office had conducted almost 15,000 visits and described Operation Heroes Hill, a project expected to create 20 tiny homes for homeless veterans with student participation in construction. He cited a case in which county advocates reclassified a veteran's diagnosis and secured VA approval after appeals; the speech gave the veteran's name but the year of final approval in the transcript was unclear.

Jacobs credited the East Tennessee Regional Forensic Center for its caseload and noted a planned 33,000‑square‑foot facility in Karnes to serve multiple counties.