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Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs proposes budget with no property tax increase in final address
Summary
In his eighth and final budget address, Mayor Glenn Jacobs proposed a budget that keeps property taxes flat, adds to reserves, and funds near-3% employee raises, teacher pay increases, school facility projects and several infrastructure and public-safety investments.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs used his eighth and final budget address to present a proposal that would avoid a property tax increase while adding to county reserves and funding targeted pay and capital investments.
"This year's budget does not include a property tax increase," Jacobs said, crediting departmental efficiency, revenue growth and the county finance team's work for allowing the pledge to be kept despite inflation he said has risen roughly 30% since 2018. He said the administration added $30 million to the general fund reserves, bringing total reserves to $111 million and praised the county's AA+ bond rating.
The proposed plan includes a two-step plus 1% pay increase for county employees—described by Jacobs as nearly a 3% raise overall—and funding to increase teacher pay by 2.5%, which Jacobs said will bring the state-mandated starting teacher salary to $50,000 "ahead of schedule." The budget also earmarks $12 million for school facility upgrades and $64.6 million to construct the county's first K–8 school.
Jacobs highlighted several programmatic investments and partnerships: expansion of career and technical education through the Skilled Trades Academy and Regional Training Center (the "Start Center"), support for Elevate High School (a recovery high school), behavioral health initiatives including a walk-in Impath Unit and a mental health court, and significant sheriff's office funding increases. He said sheriff's office funding rose by nearly $30 million during his tenure and that salary increases of up to 54% for correctional officers and 42% for patrol were implemented.
On infrastructure, Jacobs credited Engineering and Public Works with modernizing asset tracking and paving 386 miles of road during his administration, and he listed near-term projects including work on Shadow Road, Harden Valley Road, Midway Road, Thorn Grove Pike, Cedar Bluff flood mitigation and completion of the Bluegrass Lake pump station in December.
The mayor singled out economic-development wins—stating the county saw roughly 8,000 new jobs and about $725 million in capital investment since 2018—and cited partnerships with the Knoxville Chamber and Visit Knoxville. He also noted grants and community-development efforts that he said secured more than $264 million in grant funding and helped launch the Office of Housing Stability and the Operation Heroes Hill tiny-homes project for veterans.
Jacobs warned of upcoming fiscal pressure when several large debt payments come due beginning in fiscal 2027 but said the county's reserves and a dedicated debt service reserve (which he said totals $34 million) leave the county positioned to manage near-term pressures with fiscal restraint.
In closing remarks Jacobs reflected on his time in office, thanked staff and partners across departments and displayed a signed commemorative shield given to him by his team. The address ended with a benediction and an invitation to remain for post-event refreshments.
What happens next: Jacobs presented the proposed budget; the transcript does not record formal votes or an adoption schedule. Details such as final adoption dates, a formal vote tally, or specific implementation timelines were not specified in the address.
