Knox County’s 2009-2010 budget has been approved by County Commission. For the seventh consecutive year, the budget includes no property tax increase. The current rate is expected to be reduced following the 2009 reappraisal.
The new budget continues the spending reductions from FY 2008-2009, bringing the two year total cuts to nearly $7 million. General government staffing has also been reduced by almost 13% under the Ragsdale administration, from 1,057 employees in 2002, to 924 employees today.
In addition, the budget was approved with a debt-load that has allowed the County to maintain a AA+ bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, the highest in the County’s history.
The budget provides $375 million for County schools, fully funding the proposal of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. The budget also continues the administration’s priority on law enforcement, providing just over $63 million for the Sheriff’s Office.
Under this budget, citizens will continue to receive basic services without significant reductions. Libraries will continue to lend books and provide reading programs to children; the health department will continue with flu vaccinations and critical health services; parks and recreation sports programs will continue; roads will continue to be paved; air and water quality will continue to be monitored, and our senior citizens will continue to have centers where they can go for activities.
