A majority of Knoxville aldermen have expressed frustration with the lack of the town’s representation in the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.
Tonight, aldermen could decide on whether or not they’ll pay the $2,000 to continue membership in the partnership.
Last month, a vote was split with aldermen Dan Eiker, Lester Naslund and Toby Myers voting against.
Eiker and Naslund at a mid-July meeting expressed doubt they would be changing their votes.
Fellow council members Jim McGovern and Kirk Heller at the same meeting said they were undecided.
Partnership President Ken Springer tells WGIL that for the partnership the $2,000 fee is a small part of why they hope Knoxville stays.
“This is about us hoping that Knoxville embraces the economic development and hoping that Knoxville embraces the work the partnership is doing,” Springer says. “We want them to be part of the coalition. The financial contribution would be nice. It’s a small part though of a much larger coalition of funders.”
Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Maurer said in previous meetings that he’s “disappointed” by the council distancing itself from the partnership.
City Clerk Charlie Gruner has said the partnership has taken credit for projects they’ve had little to do with, namely Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store.
The meeting is scheduled to get under way at 7 p.m. at the Knoxville Police Station.
