State of the City Address includes a COVID-19 Recovery Fund

MAYOR INDYA KINCANNON DELIVERS HER FIRST STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS BY VIDEO, ANNOUNCES COVID-19 RECOVERY FUND

KNOXVILLE, TN (April 24, 2020) – Mayor Indya Kincannon proposed her first budget for the City of Knoxville amidst unprecedented times.

The 2020 State of the City Address was planned to be delivered, with attendees, from the site of the future Safety Complex currently under construction in North Knoxville, the former St. Mary’s Hospital. (A $46 million project to consolidate the City’s public safety services.)

“It is a time of adaptation, of innovation, of collaboration, and of efficiency,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Kincannon delivered her from her office with only the program, and technical support attending. A musical presentation precedes the Mayor Kincannon’s presentation.

To watch Mayor Kincannon’s first State of the City Address, click to view on the City of Knoxville-Government Facebook page.

This year’s address was planned to be delivered from the site of the new Safety Complex, currently under construction at the location of the former St. Mary’s Hospital in North Knoxville. A $46 million project to consolidate the City’s public safety services.

Mayor Kincannon offered a message of resilience and unity.  “It is a time of adaptation, of innovation, of collaboration, and of efficiency,” she remarked.

The Mayor emphasized that the City will maintain services and assured residents there are no plans for a tax increase to make up for revenue lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Kincannon said, “The City of Knoxville is fortunate to be on firm financial footing, despite the very real impacts of COVID-19 and the reduced sales tax revenues that we project over the coming months. Years of responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars affords us the ability to weather the economic implications of this storm without furloughing staff, cutting services, or deferring maintenance of critical infrastructure.”

The proposed budget, though austere, reflects the core values of her administration and of the Knoxville community:

• • Public Safety
  • Healthy and Connected Neighborhoods
  • A Clean and Resilient Future
  • Thriving Businesses and Jobs.

The proposed capital budget is smaller than in recent years and focuses on core infrastructure needs, the operating budget maintains the staffing and resource levels necessary to continue to advance key City priorities.

As in past years, the largest portion of the budget is devoted to the operations of the Police and Fire Departments in order to advance Public Safety. As promised, the budget includes funding of $746,400 for the deployment of body-worn cameras, along with software and staffing as improvements to transparency and accountability within the Police Department.

The proposed budget appropriates $7.5 million to support affordable housing in Knoxville, including continuing the City’s investment of $2.5 million in the Affordable Rental Development Fund to support the creation of new affordable and workforce housing. In addition, $4.5 million for the revitalization of the Austin Homes community, $500,000 for improvements in the Western Heights neighborhood.

Mayor Kincannon emphasized the need to look ahead to the long-term needs of the community, including the need to be sustainable and resilient.  The proposed budget continues the City’s support for initiatives such as recycling and transit, and improvements in energy efficiency at City facilities.

The capital budget proposes $1.18 million to support critical repairs to the City’s stormwater infrastructure while recognizing a long-term need for additional funding to help Knoxville be more resilient to flooding from heavy rains in February of the past two years.

The budget continues to support job growth and development, including providing $540,000 for business development efforts led by the Knoxville Chamber and Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. To support long-term workforce development efforts in the community, the budget also maintains the City’s partnership with the Community Schools Initiative and funds upgrades at City recreation centers to enhance technology access for residents.

Concurrent with the FY21 budget proposal, the Mayor also announced a comprehensive COVID-19 recovery budget, which outlines a City commitment of more than $4.1 million to support the immediate needs of communities and residents due to the pandemic.

“We are very aware that many people have lost their source of income and are worried about paying their rent or mortgage,” said Mayor Kincannon.

This includes the single largest investment to support residents who are struggling with housing. More than $1.1 million will go toward direct rent and mortgage payment assistance.

The majority of the housing support dollars will come from Community Development block grants. Details on how and where to apply for funding will be released in the coming weeks.

The COVID-19 Recovery Budget includes expenditures incurred since Mayor Kincannon declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2020.  The City has already spent over $1 million on needs related to COVID-19, including $700,000 for Zoo Knoxville, $95,000 for “The Guest House” to serve individuals experiencing homelessness, $100,000 for Community Action Committee’s Homeward Bound program, and over $115,000 for expenses incurred for emergency response.

Additional funding announced includes:

• $500,000 to the United Way COVID Response Fund to support local non-profits providing essential services for those affected by the crisis
• $200,000 to fund Second Harvest, Mobile Meals, and other agencies responding to immediate food and nutrition needs
• $349,637 through federal funds to purchase safety and personal protective equipment for Police
• $428,017 in locally- and federally-funded grants to agencies supporting individuals experiencing or facing homelessness
• $100,000 for workforce development efforts to support long-term recovery
• $417,500 for Public Safety COVID-19 Response Bonuses in appreciation of first responders in the City’s Police & Fire Departments.

The Mayor will present her budget to City Council on May 5, 2020 for a first reading.  It will require two readings prior to the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2020.

For the full text of Mayor Kincannon’s State of the City Address and all supporting budget documents, visit  knoxvilletn.gov/budget.