Vision, budget expected ‘Series’ topics for Jacobs
Farragut and other Knox Countians will be able to hear first-hand about Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ vision and budget plans at Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Breakfast Series.
The Chamber will hold the event Tuesday, April 30, at Rothchild Catering & Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 and Jacobs’ presentation will begin at 8 a.m.
“After we had the active shooter scenario forum (for the Feb. 26 Breakfast Series), which was largely successful, we were contacted through Tennessee Strategies, which is a member of ours, that the mayor would be presenting his first budget to Knox County,” FWKCC president/CEO Julie Blaylock said.
Being this is his first year in office, “There’s a lot of interest and speculation in what that first budget is going to look like and his new administration,” she added. “He wanted to present his vision for Knox County to our members and the community at large.
“He wanted an opportunity to talk to our businesses and our people,” Blaylock said. “We were thrilled for the opportunity.”
She noted the Chamber had Jacobs, along with fellow mayoral candidates, currently Knox County Commissioners Brad Anders and Bob Thomas, for a candidates’ forum at FWKCC’s Breakfast Series Feb. 20, 2018.
“We so enjoyed having him as part of that forum, when he was running for mayor — really enjoyed hearing his thoughts and his plans for Knox County at that time — so it seemed really natural to have him come back in his newly elected office and now talk about what he was actually going to put into action for his first budget year,” Blaylock said.
Regarding the change in venue, she said the Chamber would love to have the event at its usual location, Fox Den Country Club, but she thought Rotchild’s would better accommodate the size of attendance that is anticipated and it is centrally located.
Presenting sponsors for the event are Town of Farragut, First Utility District and Lenoir City Utilities Board.
“We still have sponsorship availability at all levels,” Blaylock said.
Another opportunity for the audience is a question-and-answer segment, she said.
All of FWKCC’s Breakfast Series always are open to the public; however, she noted Chamber members get a discount.
Individual member tickets are $30 apiece, and non-member tickets are $40 each.
Attendees also can receive a discounted price if they buy a table of 10 seats, which is $275.
Students can attend with a specialty price ticket of $15 each.
Students can be middle schoolers, high school students or in college, Blaylock said.
“They just have to provide proof of school ID,” she added. “I think, certainly, hearing the mayor speak — for students in high school and even junior high school — would be a very good, educational opportunity. We’ve had area schools contact us to bring a table of their students, and we work with them to honor the student ticket price.”
Reservations are required to attend. And while reservations will be accepted at the door, advance registration by Friday, April 26, is urged, so the staff can get a count for catering.
For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, go online to farragutchamber.com.
