Keep an eye on these Farragut projects and services if leaders 'reprioritize' dollars for town

The fallout from Farragut's derailment of Knox County's massive planning overhaul is coming into focus just days after the March 28 vote, and residents could feel the effects everywhere from streets to schools.

Public officials didn't disguise their disgust after three aldermen torpedoed the first of two parts of the Advance Knox plan that has been in the works for two years and cost $1.2 million to complete.

Advance Knox would overhaul Knox County's road map for how to make business development less lopsided to the west, and how to condense development in certain areas to preserve farmland

Now, some elected officials are threatening route tax dollars away from Farragut projects.

Even though Advance Knox would have a minimal impact on Farragut housing and business themselves, Knox County's consequential "reprioritization" of funding could have a lasting impact on how traffic flows through the area and how land is used right outside the town.

MEDIATION NEXT UP: County seeks help If Knox County and Farragut can't mediate a deal over Advance Knox, a third party could decide.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs already said road improvement projects, including Emory Road in northeast Knox County, will now take priority over Campbell Station Road in Farragut.

And it's not just roads.

Though Farragut is an independent town, its finances are intertwined with Knox County's for services that include schools, libraries and senior centers. Those amenities, and more, could get caught up in a political fight with frustrated county leaders who say aldermen in far-west Farragut are disrupting neighborhoods on all sides of the county.

"Farragut has clearly spoken and chose to function independently, and that is what they are going to get from this Knox County commissioner," Knox County Commission Chair Terry Hill told Knox News in a text the day after Farragut's vote. Her district on the county's northwest side is especially in need of a planning overhaul because it is growing at a rapid pace.

Commissioners, who have final approval over Jacobs' proposed countywide budget, will host public hearings on the proposed budget and the commission must approve the budget by June 30.

Here are some of the projects and services paid for with Knox County taxes to watch as commissioners decide whether Farragut will pay a price for rejecting a county comprehensive growth plan for the second time in five years. The plan already had been approved by the two other elected bodies that needed to sign off: the Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council.

There are about 25,000 residents of Farragut, or about 5 percent of Knox County's 500,000 population.

New elementary school

The Knox County Board of Education approved a $5 million land purchase at the intersection of Boring Road and Kingston Pike in October. Farragut schools are overcrowded now, and the board determined building a new elementary school is the best solution.

Knox County Schools administrators planned to open the school for the 2026-2027 school year, and the board has approved a one-time $3 million cost to renovate existing schools and remove portable classrooms before the designs process begins.

But the new school itself is expected to cost $47 million, and that money has not been approved.

Jacobs and county commissioners don't have a say in how money allocated to the school board is spent, but they do approve how much is allocated for the year.

Commissioner At-Large Larsen Jay said money for the new school could theoretically be "reprioritized" elsewhere, but Hill emphasized in a text to Knox News that the commission likely wouldn't punish students for an unrelated decision by town aldermen.

New greenway from Concord to Choto

Since 2018, the county has been building a greenway that would connect the Concord Roundabout to the Choto Roundabout, and it would be an asset to Farragut residents who use the waterfront.

The project final phase of four is set to start in August. That phase connects Cove Park to the Choto Road roundabout, effectively connecting Choto to Turkey Creek.

That's not directly in Farragut, but the new greenway could take traffic off the road as it offers an alternative way to travel between popular amenities. Northshore Drive traffic jams were a big concern of Choto residents who opposed Advance Knox.

The final phase of the greenway is expected to cost $811,000, but one commissioner has already called for reallocating the money.

"That funding needs to be moved to something else," Commissioner Carson Dailey told Knox News. Dailey represents the 9th District, which includes the southern part of the county. He said his district is especially hurt by Farragut lawmakers' vote.

Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce

In its 2024 budget, the county allocated $50,000 to the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce. The Town of Farragut is a member. It offers more than 100 programs as well as advertising, educational classes and grants, and relationship-building opportunities.

West Knox County Senior Center

There's only one county-funded senior center in the western part of the county, and it's in Farragut. The West Knox County Senior Center received about $123,000 in fiscal year 2024. The center opened in 2020 and serves about 130 people every day.

Knox County senior centers put on a variety of classes and events, from arts and crafts activities to fitness classes. They also hold grief support groups and dementia care support groups as well as legal aid, social worker and veterans services outreach programs.

Advance Knox could have a second chance in Farragut, county says

If the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen wants to reconsider its vote, it can, according to the Knox County Law Department. The board is having a special meeting on Advance Knox on April 3.

A new vote would have to be suggested by the aldermen who voted against Advance Knox. At the meeting, Aldermen Drew Burnette, Scott Meyer and David White are required to explain why they voted against Advance Knox.

Knox County already plans to ask a state mediator to help find a solution to the impasse between

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Farragut projects at risk after Advance Knox spoiler vote