Over $100M allocated to first responders in proposed Knoxville city budget
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — At the State of The City on Friday, Mayor Kincannon announced the largest expense of her proposed budget will be going to Knoxville Police and Fire departments.
She plans to invest around 21%, or over $100 million, into higher pay, equipment, and a new fire station. The proposed budget will also allocate over $200,000 in salary increases to bring firefighters up to market-level salaries, and for the first time in 30 years, the City Of Knoxville Fire Department will be building a new station.
'I think this is a good city budget and strategic that serves a lot of areas, but it helps our folks in the fire department tremendously,' said KFD Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks.
Along with the rising cost of living, Wilbanks said an increase in salary will help keep firefighters on their feet.
Virtual reality giving Cocke County students hands-on career experience
'Bringing us up to that market rate is very important for our firefighters because, it's expensive to live in this area, and it's extremely helpful to our folks to get a little bump in and pay, to help them out with their daily needs,' he said.
Kincannon also announced they will be breaking ground on a new fire station in Burlington. This community is currently home to one of Knoxville's oldest fire stations, station number 6.
'The station opened in 1937, so there's been a lot of great firefighters come out of this station,' said the Captain of engine 6, Chris Hinkle. 'The community's great, there's going to be some history and nostalgia lost, but we're looking we're looking forward to having more room, better facilities.'
In 2023, crews were relocated from the building for structural repairs. Having moved back temporality, Hinkle said currently they are working with limited space, storage, and resources. But he couldn't imagine serving anywhere else.
'We love the area, we love the community,' he said. 'They love us here, they treat us great, talk to us with their store, they're great with us when we're on calls, so we enjoy being in there and look forward to it.'
Greenback prepares for thousands of visitors ahead of Rock the Country music festival
Wilbanks said they hope a new facility will help them better serve the community.
'There's nothing like having a brand-new building to work out of, state of the art, it'll be great,' he said. 'And it's going to be right in the heart of Burlington, which is extremely important to that community to keep that fire station right there'
Earlier this year, a number of firefighters filed a lawsuit against the City arguing the tiered step pay plan for civil servants negatively impacted them. The City of Knoxville recently made a motion to dismiss the case, and the firefighters have filed a motion to extend the time to respond to the City.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
3 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Manchester City left this key player out of the squad for the Club World Cup
As the club World Cup is approaching, the clubs are busy in making the squads that will help them go as higher as possible in the league. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 12, 2025, 08:35 IST As the club World Cup is approaching, the clubs are busy in making the squads that will help them go as higher as possible in the league. Manchester City also made their squad and left out the star Jack Grealish from it. The midfielder and the club is set to part ways this summer transfer window. Both the parties are convinced that new place will be a better thing to explore himself. As the FIFA Club World Cup draws closer, clubs across the globe are finalizing their squads in hopes of achieving glory on the world stage. Premier League giants Manchester City have submitted their squad for the tournament — but one notable name is missing: Jack Grealish. The English midfielder has been left out of the Club World Cup squad, signaling the growing certainty of his departure from the Etihad this summer. Sources close to the club suggest that both Grealish and Manchester City have mutually agreed that a fresh start could be beneficial for the player. After joining City in 2021 for a British-record fee, Grealish showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to cement a regular starting spot under Pep Guardiola. Injuries and competition for places limited his impact, and now, the 28-year-old appears ready to explore new opportunities. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
City of El Paso launches new website for Economic, International Development
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso has launched a new Economic and International Development website to promote the Borderland as a 'prime destination for business, investment and international trade,' according to a news release on Wednesday, June 11. The website, is a one-stop resource for site selectors, developers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and international partners who seek 'information about the region's competitive advantages, growth opportunities and strategic initiatives,' according to the City. 'This website is part of our continued effort to create a more accessible and business-friendly environment for investors and companies looking to grow in El Paso,' Karina Brasgalla, director of Economic and International Development, said. 'It reflects our commitment to transparency, innovation, and strategic collaboration to support job creation and long-term economic resilience.' The City highlights key features on the site, including: Comprehensive data on El Paso's business climate, workforce, and key industries Incentive program overviews and how to apply Interactive maps and tools for site selectors and developers Updates on major projects and cross-border partnerships Resources for entrepreneurs, including small business support In addition, the City says the site also highlights El Paso's unique geographic location for international commerce and its deep ties with Mexico as an ideal hub for global trade and binational cooperation. To explore the new website, you can visit the City of El Paso's Economic and International Development website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
City: Renting backyards, pools is prohibited
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The City of El Paso is launching a public education campaign to remind residents that renting out residential pools and backyards for events or parties is not allowed. The City said this is to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. 'When hot weather arrives, we see a rise in safety concerns, traffic issues, and disturbances stemming from residents renting out parts of their homes as entertainment venues,' Code Enforcement Director Steve Alvarado said. 'This summer to mitigate the issue, we are reaching out to residents to help them understand the law, and foster more harmonious neighborhoods.' Using residential properties as entertainment venues poses serious safety risks, excessive noise, traffic congestion, and parking problems, the City said. 'Violating this zoning regulation outlined in the El Paso City Code is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000,' read the news release by the City. The City said increased enforcement will follow the campaign, which will utilize a variety of strategies to inform the public about the venue restrictions and how to access more information such as: Direct mail to all single-family residential properties with pools A robust social media campaign Website information In-person visits and written notices by Code Enforcement Officers However, these zoning regulations do not prohibit all celebrations, such as family parties or gatherings. The restriction applies when payment is exchanged for the temporary use of a home's backyard or pool as an entertainment venue, the City said. To learn more about this zoning ordinance, which prioritizes neighborhood safety, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
