KNOXVILLE - During his Weekly Update today, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs talked about the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and property reappraisals.

Mayor Jacobs hosted his final Budget Address earlier this week proposing a lean budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposal fully funds Knox County School’s requested budget, including boosting teacher pay up to the state-mandated $50,000 and includes funding for the county’s first K-8 school at the old Rule High School site. It also includes $26 million for road and infrastructure projects, adding another $100,000 to the paving budget. In addition to a three percent raise for Sheriff’s officers, the proposal provides funding for new patrol cars and other equipment.

“There is nothing fancy in this upcoming budget, it addresses the County’s ongoing needs and should be a good start for the next administration,” says Mayor Jacobs. “Overall, I’m happy to say that the county is in good financial position as the next mayor takes over.”

Following last week’s property reappraisal notices, Mayor Jacobs addressed changes in home values across Knox County, which increased by about 60 percent on average. He noted that individual property tax bills will depend on how a home’s value changed relative to the countywide average increase. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has several videos  explaining the process on their website.

Mayor Jacobs also reflected on his remaining time in office, saying:

I still have about three-and-a-half months left in office and I expect to be working as hard on my last day as I did on my first day, but as I begin looking back over the last eight years, I want to say how blessed I feel to have represented you as mayor. Knox County truly is the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Thank you for allowing me to be a very small part of that.