DOA? Library gets approval from Fiscal Court, but funding cut short by $3 million

During a meeting of the Knox County Fiscal Court on Friday, Nov. 22, the county’s governing body addressed the issue of approving the construction of a new Knox County Public Library, a moment that has been several months in the making. 

In an email to Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell, the library’s board of directors unanimously agreed to cap any bonding needed for the construction at $4 million. After Mitchell introduced the agenda item for a vote, District 5 Magistrate Sam Miller made a motion to approve the library spending $9.5 million from its reserves, and to allow up to $999,999 in bonding for the project. District 1 Magistrate Roger C. Mills seconded the motion, and the item passed unanimously, with Mitchell and all magistrates present and voting in favor of Miller’s motion. 

Friday’s decision leaves the library $3 million short in funding to construct the new library. Next steps for the library construction project are unclear.