By Jeremy Z. Young

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale introduced his proposed budget May 14 for the upcoming 2008-09 fiscal year.
While governments across the country, much like individuals and families, have had to make financial adjustments for higher gas prices, Ragsdale was proud to announce that once again, property owners will not see a property tax increase this year. Knox County’s property tax hasn’t increased since fiscal year 1999-2000.

The proposed budget, $640 million, is roughly $11.3 million over the 2007-08 budget, representing a 1.8 percent increase.
In the budget, the general fund would be cut by about $5.8 million, without employee layoffs that have effected other governments, Ragsdale said.

In fact, Ragsdale’s budget proposal would give a 2% raise, as well as step raises, to general county employees.
The budget also calls for a “freeze” of hiring over the next six months. The freeze is a cornerstone of the budget that will allow for current employees to get deserved raises.

Every category within the general fund shows a decrease from the adopted 2007-08 budget except Public Safety - an increase of $2.7 million - and Agriculture & Natural Resources - an increase of $12,535.

Over the past year, Ragsdale and members of his staff have come under fire for using county funds to purchase food and travel.

Excluding the Sheriff and Juvenile Service Departments, the food line item has been cut by 50 percent. The travel budget shows a decrease of $335,082.

By far, the largest one item in the county’s budget is funding the public school system.

During the presentation at Hardin Valley High School, which is still under construction, Ragsdale outlined how education is Knox County’s top priority.

“Nothing is more critical to the success of our community than an outstanding public school system,” he said.

The school system is currently operating on $357.4 million of the county’s current $629.4 budget.

Ragsdale proposed increasing the school budget by about $12 million, totaling $370 million. The school board has requested $390.4 million as their proposed budget for 2008-09. The school board’s proposal included 256 new teacher positions, however, that will undoubtedly be decreased.

The budget also includes the creation of a county Inspector General’s Office.

Ragsdale told county commissioners that he would propose creating the position after in six months, after the hiring freeze is over.

The Inspector General would be appointed to a six-year term by a Public Integrity Committee. This committee would be made up of nine members - four appointees from the County Commission, three from the County Mayor and 2 from the Board of Education.

The committee would be independent of all elected officials, as no elected officials would be allowed to serve on it.
According to Ragsdale, the office would “promote public accountability and integrity in the general areas of prevention, examination, investigation, audit, detection, elimination and prosecution of fraud, waste and abuse.”

Other cuts include the general administration budget, which is $2.1 million less than 2007-08. Community grant funding would be cut from $3.1 to $2 million and other general government funds would be cut by $3.25 million.