Council to review local option sales tax increase
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
The Knoxville City Council will consider Mayor Indya Kincannon’s one-half of one percent sales tax when it meets Tuesday evening. Exempted from the tax, in a separate motion, is the retail sale of food and food ingredients. If a second reading passes council this month, the local option sales tax referendum will appear on the November ballot for city voters to decide.
Knox County has an option of also placing the proposed increase on the November ballot and, if so, a “No” vote by county residents would kill the city’s increase.
Also on the agenda is an agreement for automated enforcement camera systems to regulate speeding in school zones and detection devices for excessive motor vehicle noise. The new devices would come to the city at no cost and fines would be shared with the city.
The late 3rd District Councilwoman Brenda Palmer will be honored by the city in a resolution sponsored by the entire council.
A property at 412 Ocala Drive may be sold for $40,250 to Gary Chesney under the Homemakers Program and a lot on Moody Avenue may be sold to Michael Seemer for $4,444.
A state Victims of Crime Act grant of $150,546 may be extended in a request from the Knoxville Police Department. KPD is also requesting approval of $25,000 from the Helen Ross McNabb Center for services at the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee.
The conversion of a building to a two-family duplex is before the council and would change the city codes to conform with existing building codes.
Zoning changes before the council include 4301 and 4311 Kingston Pike to go from RN-1 to RN-3 residential neighborhood. Other residential zoning changes before the body include 1203 Murray Drive, 700 Gertude Avenue, and 4423 Ball Camp Pike.
A property at 1501 North Cherry Street may change from General Industrial to Highway Commercial in a request from Bhajan Singh.
Mayor Indya Kincannon will reappoint Marite Perez and appoint Margaret Butler to the planning commission.
