Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs delivers final budget address, proposes no property tax increase

Mayor Glenn Jacobs delivered his eighth and final budget address at Covenant Health Park, saying, "This year's budget does not include a property tax increase." Jacobs framed the proposal as the culmination of eight years of fiscal management that grew revenue, increased reserves and preserved a high bond rating.

The mayor said the county added $30 million to general‑fund reserves, bringing total reserves to $111 million, and credited the county's finance team for an AA+ bond rating. "When I came into office, I pledged that I would not raise property taxes," Jacobs said, noting inflation had increased more than 30% since 2018 but that the county had offset pressure through revenue growth and efficiency gains.

The budget proposal includes a two‑step plus 1% pay increase for county employees, which Jacobs described as roughly a 3% raise overall, and funding to increase teacher pay by 2.5%. "That will bring us to the state‑mandated starting teacher pay of $50,000 a year ahead of schedule," he said.

Jacobs also highlighted capital and operating investments: $12 million for facility upgrades and $64.6 million to construct the county's first K–8 school (the transcript's school name was unclear). He proposed $1.9 million for vehicles and $2.2 million for body cameras and equipment for public‑safety operations.

Context: Jacobs framed the budget as his effort to hand the next administration a 'clean slate' by finishing projects and shoring up fiscal reserves ahead of higher debt payments projected to begin in FY2027. He said the county is positioned to absorb those payments if the next mayor exercises fiscal restraint.

The address closed with a benediction and an invitation to attendees to remain for refreshments; no formal vote or council action was recorded during the event.