Knox Co. employees offered incentive buyouts; about 90 to 100 eligible

Knox County is offering voluntary incentive buyouts to some of its long-time employees in what officials are calling a cost-cutting move that could save at least $1.6 million annually.

“It’s a cost-saving measure as well as an effort by the mayor to reduce the footprint of government,” said Michael Grider, the county’s communications director. "It's part of the mayor's conservative fiscal philosophy."

The county made the offer last week to some 800 employees but the plan will more than likely affect only 90 to 100 workers, said finance Director Chris Caldwell.

The move could "conservatively" cost about $1 million, but also save $1.6 million in that first year.

The goal, however, is to trim staffing by 25 to 50 positions, Caldwell said.

"Each employee has to determine if they want to apply," Caldwell said. "We are not targeting jobs. We are seeing who applies and then which positions those departments or fee offices can live without."

To qualify, employees must have at least 15 years of fulltime service with the county, a fee office or the sheriff's office. The buyouts do not apply to the school system.

The position also has to be one that goes unfilled or if it is filled, then the another job must be cut.

“The idea is not to let people retire early and incentivize that and then have to refill the position,” Grider said. “The idea is to save money.”

Employees who are approved will receive: three months of salary; a $300 payment for each full year of service; $3,000 to assist with medical coverage transition; health insurance for six months; and payment for accrued and unused vacation time.

When asked what brought about the move, Caldwell said: “The mayor is always looking for ways to save money and reduce government. It is not uncommon. The state has done this program in the past. It’s very similar to that."

Employees have until March 3 to apply. Caldwell said a number of workers have submitted requests so far but officials have not begun processing them.

County kills Ball Park Walmart plan

A proposed plan to build a Walmart Neighborhood Market on a piece of Nicholas Ball Park is dead after Knox County withdrew its request to rezone a portion of the land.

The county, under the plan would, swap an 8-acre piece of the park in exchange for a 100-acre piece of land in Hardin Valley. Gusto Development would then need the property rezoned from agricultural to general business.

That’s not going to happen.

“We’re just not going to do that – we’re not to swap it,” said Knox County Communications Director Michael Grider. “It was pretty clear the Ball Camp community wasn’t interested in moving forward.”

The Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission was set to talk about the proposal this month, but officials agreed to postpone the discussion until early next year as they sought more input from the West Knox County neighborhoods.

Instead, the county withdrew its petition to the MPC on Thursday, Grider said.

The plan would have cut out two of Ball Park’s soccer fields and a parking area.

Recent inclement weather costing Knoxville, Knox County major coin

As the snow continues to pile along area roads, so, too, are the bills for local government.

By the end of Tuesday, 10 days of inclement weather is expected to cost Knox County roughly $405,000, and the city well-over $300,000.

The majority of the money is tied to the salt placed in the brine to make the roads more navigable during the snow and ice storms. The rest is mostly for overtime to pay the city and county road crews.

County spokesman Michael Grider said salt costs $115 per ton, and so far the county has put down 3,000 tons. The county also has spent another $60,000 in overtime.

At this point, there are no additional county costs, Grider said, but officials will have to repair some equipment, including snow plows and the spreaders used for the brine.

“We started with 4,000 tons of salt, so by the end of the day we will have used 75 percent of it,” Grider said.

Knoxville at this point is on the hook for about $305,500 in weather-related costs as of Sunday night, said city spokesman Eric Vreeland, adding that during the past 10 days through Sunday crews put down 1,800 tons of brine.

About $250,000 of the city’s costs so far are for salt; another $54,000 for public service employee overtime; and $5,500 for the overtime, labor and some equipment costs in the city’s fleet services department.

City crews Monday night and early Tuesday morning placed another 500 tons of brine on the roads, but those costs have not been factored into the bottom line.

City leaders should have the final numbers in the coming days.

City and county officials both said the storms so far have not affected their overall spending plans for the current fiscal year, since the budgets do factor in some storm costs. Both governments said they’re nowhere close to tapping reserve funds.

County receives $540K rebate check tied to P-card program purchases

A number of Knox County officials hung out today to get them one of those fancy check passing pics taken. Heh.

But seriously, Sun Trust Bank cut the county a rebate check for $538,329 under the county's P-card (I can't bring myself to calling them "E-cards") program.

Shiny happy people

There's some kind of formula that I won't bore you with, but essentially every time the county uses one of these charge cards, it gets money back (all paid at the end of the year).

The county last year got $447,000 check for 2103 spending.

In a released statement no doubt crafted by communications director (he got a promotion) Michael "Big Sexy" Grider, county Mayor Tim Burchett said:

“The E-commerce card rebate program continues to show that there is a real-dollar value to efficiency in government. I appreciate the Knox County Purchasing Department’s on-going efforts to identify tax-saving efficiencies through the E-commerce Card program. I’d like to specifically recognize Purchasing Program Manager Janice Orr and E-Card Coordinator Lori Holmann for their help in ensuring these substantial savings for Knox County’s taxpayers.” 

The release notes that during the past four year, the county has received more than $1.5 million in rebates and that "the Knox County Purchasing Department identifies opportunities to utilize the cards for various county transactions with third party vendors, and has saved Knox County millions through cost-avoidance by consolidating the E-commerce card program"

Funny, the school system is always crying about being in the poor house. Maybe if officials on that side of Main Street had used the P-card program sooner, they'd get a nice check, too. Instead of, you know, waiting until you discover that someone forgot to pay the credit card bills on time.

County continuing 'Wreaths Across America' effort; deadline extended

The Wreaths Across America donation has been extended from today to Wednesday, Dec. 3, according to Michael "Big Sexy" Grider, county communications director or manager or whatever his title is now.

Members of the community wishing to contribute to the WAA effort in Knox County can do so by visiting RIGHT SMACK HERE.

So far, more than $42,000 have been raised, which amounts to more than 4,000 sponsored wreaths.

Thanks to a generous donation by Perceptics, all remaining headstones at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway will receive a wreath, Grider noted.  Also, Pilot Flying J once again made a substantial contribution to this year’s Wreaths Across America effort.

The Porch has blogged about this cause in the past. RIGHT SMACK HERE for more info.

Knox County continues 'Wreaths Across America' effort for vet cemeteries

As a reminder, the county mayor's office is continuing its "Wreaths Across America" effort to raise money to place live wreaths on the graves of veterans buried at the three veterans cemetery locations in Knox County. 

A $15 sponsorship will pay for a wreath made of live greenery to be placed on a veteran’s grave at either the Old East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike, the New East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway or the Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street near Old Gray Cemetery.

To donate, click RIGHT SMACK HERE. The organization is also offering a “three-for-two” sponsorship special, which means they will donate a wreath for every two that are sponsored.

The wreath sponsorship cutoff deadline is Dec. 1, and the wreaths will be placed on the graves on Dec. 13.

County Spin Doc, Michael "Big Sexy" Grider, spoke with one of our reporters today about the effort.

He said they've raised enough money for about 1,000 graves so far and have a total of 16,000 to cover. They have about 500 sponsors so far, including a $5,000 donation from Pilot Flying J.

Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit that works to place live wreaths on veteran graves during the holidays.

SW Day: May the Fourth be with You

So, everyone who reads this blog should know by now that I occasionally drop a few Star Wars references. Sometimes a lot of them. Well, today – May 4 – is Star Wars Day, the unofficial holiday created by the fans to celebrate the franchise.

And in that spirit, I’m gonna have a little fun. Think of this as one of those “switched at birth” segments.

Don’t take this too seriously. I didn’t. Heh.

Let’s start it off. We all know that the City County Building is really the Death Star. So, here ya go:

 And who runs – sort of – at least one side of the City County Building? Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett does.

Of course, Chewie has a partner. So, I guess that means the Man with the Badge is really Han Solo.

Or is Craig Leuthold really Han Solo?

Wait, wait, wait! Maybe Craig is really JJ in disguise? Heh.

OK, maybe that one didn’t work. Let’s find a better comparison. What about the Emperor and Burchett’s chief of staff?

“Goooooood.” All that’s missing now is a white cat to stroke.

Actually, I liked this one so much, I did two of ‘em.

Course this saga needs a hero. And who does Burchett call to crunch numbers? Well, none other than the Casual One, Chris Caldwell. Give that man a lightsaber, folks!

‘Course you can’t have Star Wars without Princess Leia. And, yes, I’m trying to score points.

And since, we’ve got Leia, we’ve got to have Leia’s mom. Here’ss Jennifer Linginfelter as Padme (which, now that I think about it, means she’s Rogero’s mom. I probably should have thought this through a little better.)

Anyhoo, moving along.  Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond might not be 900 years old, but I betcha he’s got a few Jedi mind tricks up his sleeve.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include Lando in this little shindig. Cause he’s got the ‘stache!

How about another one?

 And, if you got a ‘stache, then you have to include a beard. Obi-Wan Kenobi fits that bill.

Now in Star Wars, Han Solo had a penchant for calling C3-PO the “professor.” Not sure it’s apropos to Superintendent Jim McIntyre since he’s had about a week’s worth of classroom experience, but, hey, Superintendent C-3PO has a nice ring to it.

Anyhoo, the tall golden robot, er, android, can’t go anywhere without his counterpart, the good R2-D2. So, without further ado:

OK, OK, that’s not very fair. Michael Grider doesn’t really hang much with McIntyre. He’s more of a Burchett guy. ‘Cause, you know, he does work for him. And since Burchett is actually Chewbacca, that would mean that mini-Burchett would be more like Wicket, the scout warrior, Ewok.

Heh.

Finally, we get to the Sandman, lurking around raising cane. Heh.

I’m out. And May the Fourth be with you (I can’t believe I actually said that.)

Mayor to host constituent meetings

Looks like Knox County Mayor Burchett is planning to host another round of one-on-one constituent meetings, starting next week, according to his PR guy Michael "Big Sex" Grider.

The first meeting in this series of constituent meetings will be held Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. at Pratt’s Country Store, 3100 Tazewell Pike.

 

The meetings are designed give constituents the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Burchett to discuss any questions or concerns they may have, Grider said.

Lunch with mayor set for Friday 13th

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is hosting his final Lunch with the Mayor event of the year next Friday, and he hopes the community will come out to support another great local business, according to the latest from Big Sexy Michael Grider.

The next Lunch with the Mayor will be Friday, Dec. 13, at the Fountain City Diner, 3029 Tazewell Pike, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Fountain City Diner is owned by Dennis and Penny Wagner.  The diner will offer Lunch with the Mayor specials, including chicken pot pie and two sides for $7.99 (regularly $9.99) and all cakes, pies and cheesecakes will be $3 per slice (regular price $4.99) – and it’s all made from scratch.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, this event is “Dutch treat.”

Burchett, crew headed to Nashville

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, chief of stuff (heh) Dean Rice, HR Manager Col. Richard Julian, top bean counter Casual Chris Caldwell, Knox County Commission Chairman Brad Anders and communications manager of two Michael “Big Sexy” Grider are all squeezing into a car and headed to Nashville this morning to talk to Big Bill.

The mayor wants to convince the zillionaire governor, who mostly answers to the tea party because he’s scared of them, to put up as much as $10 million to pay for a regional forensic center that would serve 22 East Tennessee counties. (University of Tennessee Medical Center folks are kicking the operation out of their facility.)

The meeting is set for 11:30 a.m. slow time. The mayor wants the center to be based in Knox County, but since it will serve more than the folks here, he feels the good gov. should ante up some coin.

From what I understand the crew probably won’t get a response today, but some other top dogs in the state have made a similar recommendation to Haslam.

Mayors honor parks/rec volunteers

The Parks and Recreation departments for the City of Knoxville and Knox County held a Volunteer Awards Ceremony this morning to recognize those individuals who strive to make a difference in our community through recreation, according to the latest spin release by Michael "Big Sexy" Grider, county communications manager of two.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presented the awards to each of the 25 winners who were nominated by their peers for the exemplary volunteer commitment they have demonstrated in our community.

2013 Parks and Recreation volunteer award winners

“I consider it an honor to recognize our local volunteers who invest their personal time and resources in service to our community,” said Mayor Rogero. “They do this simply because they care.”

“Each of these outstanding volunteers deserves recognition for the time and energy they put in to making our community a better place to live,” said Mayor Burchett. “I appreciate all they do and thank them for their service to Knox County.”

The 25 award winners range from sports commissioners and coaches to youth recreation leaders and senior center volunteers. You can find out who won by clicking right smack here for the full list.

County to honor seniors on Sept. 27

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will host the 7^th Annual Senior Appreciation Picnic on Friday, September 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John Tarleton Park. All Knox County seniors are invited.

The picnic will include lunch, live music and a mini-health fair. 

The event is free to all Knox County seniors.  Any senior planning to attend is asked to RSVP by September 20 by calling 865-215-4007.

The Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero have all been invited to attend.

Partners for the 2013 Senior Appreciation Picnic include Independent Insurance Consultants and the Senior Directory as platinum sponsors, Morning Pointe Assisted Living & Alzheimer’s Memory Care as a gold sponsor, and several others.

County unveils new Website, Wi-Fi

Catching up from yesterday and still checking email. The county has redesigned its Website. Personally, I don't like it, but maybe it's just a case of getting used to. I liked the old design, despite what the local alternative paper felt about it. They don't like anything anyway. But at least they do their own work and don't make up crap and use second and third-hand sources to report something as fact. But I digress.

Here's the county release, brought to you by Michael "Big Sexy" Grider:

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett unveiled a new Knox County website today, and announced the "Knox County Find It iPhone" app and expanded Wi-Fi services in the City County Building.(Check out the site, right smack here.)

“It used to be that we only accessed a website from our computers, but now more people than ever use mobile devices to get information from the Web,” said Mayor Burchett.  “We want to make it easier for constituents to access County information, and that means a website designed for mobile use, apps with interactive County data and access to public Wi-Fi.  Our IT Department, especially Matt Coleman and Jon Guymon, worked very hard to make Knox County’s website even better.”

The new website was designed by the Knox County Information Technology Department and has a completely updated look.  The new design has a responsive user interface that works on desktop computers and laptops, as well as mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. 

Other highlights include:

• Interface design and navigation based on site traffic analytics
• Bold colors for a cleaner look and easier nagivation
• Mobile-friendly design that is responsive and automatically fits a user's device
• "Ask Rene" smart search feature allows users to ask or search for services.
• Links to social media, contact information and interactive maps
• Social media is integrated throughout, allowing users to share pages on various social media sites

On the new homepage there is also a link to the recently developed Knox County Find It app, which is available as a free download in the Apple App Store.  The app features an interactive map that displays County services closest to the user’s current location. Users can initiate GPS navigation to a selected destination directly from the app.  A Droid version of the app is not yet available, but may be released in the future.

In addition to rolling out a new website and app, Knox County’s IT Department recently expanded Wi-Fi services in the City County Building.  Members of the community, media, judges, attorneys and staff now have wireless internet access when in courtrooms or on the main and first floors of the City County Building.  This project was driven by the needs of the justice system, which allowed the installation to be grant-funded.  Public Wi-Fi access is also available in the Main and Small Assembly Rooms.

Mayor's back to school bash today

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is hosting a "back to school bash" today, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway). 

The annual event is an opportunity for students and their families to get free school supplies and enjoy activities, free food, special programs, vendors and more, according to Michael Grider, the one local PR flack who isn't an obstructionist and doesn't have any plans to leave.

Heh.

According to the "Big Sexy" one, roughly 4,000 people attended last year’s event, so "Mayor Burchett is making the 2013 bash even bigger, with more space and more vendors offering school supplies."

County's credit ratings reaffirmed

Moody's and Standard & Poor, a couple of nationally recognized credit rating agencies, affirmed Knox County’s strong bond ratings of Aa1 and AA+, respectively, according to a spin release issued about an hour ago while I was at lunch by Big "Michael Grider" Sexy.

Here's what he had to add: "Citing Knox County’s 'historical maintenance of strong finances,' S&P went a step further by upgrading Knox County’s financial outlook from stable to positive.  This indicates that Knox County is approaching a AAA rating." 

He also said that Moody's cited the county's "strong financial position and reserves, improved liquidity, sizable revenue base and manageable debt burden as factors in their rating decision."

A number of county leaders, including Mayor Tim Burchett, noted that the county's efforts to pay down debt . . . blah, blah, blah as reasons for the awesome ratings.

No one mentioned that the main reason is because we've got like the super-cheapest property tax rate in the world, which provides a cushion in case stuff goes bad. In other words, if we're in trouble, we can jack up taxes without bankrupting residents. That's key to bond rating agencies.

Yeah, the other stuff helps, too. But not like this.

Still, this is good news, since it means lower interest rates when the school system needs to borrow money. Heh.

Another lunch with mayor tomorrow

Looks like Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is continuing that never-ending request to eat everywhere with everyone (and no he ain't picking up the tab).

The county's spin team of Michael "Big Sexy" Grider and kid sidekick just sent out its latest release, noting that the mayor on Friday (that's tomorrow) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will host another "Lunch with the Mayor" event, this time at Round Up Restaurant in South Knoxville at 3643 Sevierville Pike. 

The locally owned restaurant will also serve a "lunch with the mayor" special, including a lunch plate with meat, sides and bread for $5.49, all you can eat catfish for $6.49 and $0.99 desserts.

Mobile Meals telethon raises $125K

It looks like the community raised $125,027 in folding paper during Monday's Mobile Meals telethon at West Town Mall, according to the spin release, just sent out by county communications manager Michael "Big Sexy" Grider.

That's enough to cover 39,691 meals at $3.15 per meal, or to serve 152 seniors for an entire year.

“People ask me if I’m surprised by the generosity of this community,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett in a released statement.  “We all know that Knox County residents are some of the most generous people anywhere, but the community’s support of Mobile Meals exceeded my expectations.”

The Mobile Meals program serves noon meals, five days a week and holidays, to Knoxville and Knox County citizens who are at least 60 years old, who cannot cook for themselves and have no one to prepare meals for them.

For more info, click right smack here. 

I hear it's a raining in Knoxville

So, I hear Knoxville, as of 5 p.m. yesterday, that Knoxville is just 2.16 inches shy (at 45.70) of the average precipitation for the ENTIRE YEAR (47.86). And we got six months left. Thanks to my buds over at WBIR for that one.

Anyhoo, yesterday I swam over to Washburn Island (it's on the Cape). I took a few pics. The one below is of south tip of the island and a hidden lagoon. I had the whole place to myself. More importantly, you see that yellow circle at the top? Yeah, heh, it's the sun.

It ain't raining here. Hahahahahahahaha. I'm going to boat over to Martha's Vineyard today. Catch me a Jaws.

On a side note, though, it appears county Communications Manager Michael Grider is haunting me, even from afar. In the other picture below, you'll note what no doubt is the graffiti that he scrawled on the restaurant's window. Heh.

Anyhoo, I'm out for now.

Mayor Burchett to go creek wading

Ah, I yearn for the days when county communications manager-of-two Michael “Big Sexy” Grider did NOT flood my email inbox with “friendly reminders' tied to whatever the heck Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is doing.

Heh.

Now? Well now, Jennifer “da Kid” Lightning-something-or-other sends them.

Rambling a bit here.

Anyhoo, tomorrow the mayor will wade into Beaver Creek as part of a "fish assessment activity" during a “Families in the Creek” event.

No, really. That's what the email said, although it spins it as “an educational opportunity for families to explore a local creek and learn about water quality issues.”

I figure that, really, the mayor just got himself a waterproof metal detector and he wants to try it out.

The event, also hosted by the county's stormwater management and par and rec departments in conjunction with the Beaver Creek Task Force, is set for 10 a.m. at the Halls Grenway behind Food City, 7114 Maynardville Pike.

Fountain City Library closed today

Knox County Communications Manager Michael "they finally gave me an assistant" Grider says the Fountain City Branch Library will be closed today "due to a nearby water main break that has cut off water to the facility."

He swears it has nothing to do with bed bugs and canines.

Heh.