Image Credit: andyfoxforcommissioner.com & Knoxville Community Media
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Knox County Commissioner Andy Fox is proposing a new ordinance for Knox County Government that would require legislative review of state and federal grant applications. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and several commissioners oppose the new ordinance.
The mayor and certain commissioners want executive departments in Knox County to have free reign to apply for funding with no oversight imposed during the application phase of grant funding.
Fox, a staunch conservative, is increasingly cautious about the impact that grant funding may have on Knox County. He asserts the frenzy of grant grabbing across the nation is a contributing factor in the national debt, which stands at $36.7 trillion, $323,049.00 of debt per United States taxpayer. He prefers an up-front review of grant applications.
When the ordinance was moved for consideration, Mayor Jacobs spoke in opposition. He argued that if Knox County did not apply for grant funding, or if the process of application was delayed, other cities and states would take money that could be used locally. Jacobs cited a grant that had a 10-day turn-around that may benefit local veterans.
A link to the meeting video is provided HERE with Jacobs’ commentary at time stamp 2:28:00.
Commissioner Damon Rawls argued against upfront oversight of grants stating that being a commissioner is a part time job and that county departments possess the expertise to evaluate grants for the good of their departments. He went on to say that he was “not an expert in agriculture, housing and urban development, justice, transportation, treasury, and finance”… “we [commission] don’t have expertise in those areas.”
One Knox County citizen commented on the pitfalls of grant funding applied for with no oversight.
“Last year there was a HUD PRO grant application that made some controversial claims by unelected county staff including, using federal funds for more government subsidized housing density, “racial equity challenges,” removing public feedback on proposed developments(!), and partnering with nonprofit stakeholders” Knox Pride and the city’s reparations effort referred to as the African American Equity Restoration Task Force.” – said Erik Wiatr
The Tennessee Conservative News reported on the HUD Housing Grant last October for which Knox County and the City of Knoxville were parties in their joint application. Knox County has since withdrawn from the housing grant application.
Wiatr, interviewed for this report, further stated “This [ordinance] is important because these federal grants come with strings attached and those requirements for funds can pull Knox County in a direction most citizens do not want to go. As our elected legislative body, it is the duty of these County Commissioners to review the application, commitments made by staff, and strings attached before money is awarded.”
The proposed Ordinance, O-25-4-101 by Commissioner Fox, was defered to the next regular meeting so that amendments could be made to address issues expressed by commissioners. The Tennessee Conservative News will follow this story and update as information becomes available.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx, dimmercraps and RINOs are so eager for “free” money they don’t think/care about what they’re roping constituents into.