View Comments
The Knox County Commission easily approved a nearly $900 million budget, a hefty document that reflects a growing community that has easily bounced back from the shrunken, pandemic-weary budget a year ago.
Heading into Monday, the only outstanding question about the $893.5 million allotment was whether the commissioners would go with a 5% raise for Sheriff’s Office employees planned by Mayor Glenn Jacobs or the 8% raise proposed by Sheriff Tom Spangler for employees with the rank of captain and below.
Other county employees (excluding Knox County School System employees, who could get a raise under the district s budget) got a 3% raise.
The Knox County Board of Health urged Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday to issue a statewide mask mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19. The vast majority of people are supportive of mask mandates. They think they work. They trust the science, said board member Marcy Jan Souza, referencing a survey earlier this year by the University of Tennessee s Baker Center showing support for a mask mandate.
The resolution passed 9-1 with only Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs voting against the ask. It s not limited to our metros. It s not limited to one county. If he were to put a mask mandate in place it does send a message to our citizens, said Knox County Health Department Director Dr. Martha Buchanan.