Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knox County government is soon to enter a hiring freeze.
That news coming Thursday from CFO and Co-Chief of Staff Chris Caldwell who says the move is aimed at saving money and keeping the county from dipping into its “rainy day fund.”
“We discussed this during our budget process and decided it would be a way to reduce the amount of fund balance – or rainy-day fund – used,” Caldwell said. “It’s basically a cost-saving measure to reduce the amount of reserves needed this year.”
The county currently has 26 open positions:
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office patrol officer
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office assistant kitchen manager
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office medical assistant
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office nurse
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office support services technician
- Juvenile Service Center correctional officer
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office commissary assistant
- Parent Educator
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office property officer
- Knox County Health Department medical assistant
- Knox County Health Department dentist
- Knox County engineering laborer
- Public Building Authority project manager
- Probation case manager
- Groundskeeper
- Knox County Sheriff’s Office secretary
- Knox County Health Department medical assistant
- Accounting system technician
- Permits technician
- Convenience center operator
- Health services clerk
- Engineering and Public Works officer manager
- Public health fitness coordinator
- Knox County Health Department care coordinator
- Public Building Authority telecommunications technician
According to Caldwell, the freeze is set to begin on July 1 and will stay in place until at least December; it is not expected to impact any county services.
Caldwell adds that the county is hoping to save between $500,000 and $750,000 over the six month freeze.
