Revenue for the City of Knoxville is essentially flat going into the new fiscal year; but while it may take some time, more property tax money will be coming the city’s way.

During its review of the 2019-20 budget at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council learned revenue will be down about $2,000…essentially level for the coming year.

.While there have been some new homes and commercial businesses built in town, it can take about 18 months for the new property taxes to show up on city books; and some new businesses receive property tax abatements, which means they won’t have to pay for a few years. Dollar Tree was cited as one example; it has a three-year abatement.

City Manager Aaron Adams assured the Council new revenue will come; it just takes time for a city to see a return on its efforts.

In other action, TK Concrete was formally selected to finish the downtown sidewalk project after the previous vendor informed the city it wouldn’t be able to complete the job. TK is already handling the street project this year, and the city hoped they would be able to take on the sidewalks as well.

Mayor Brian Hatch says progress is slow but sure on the VA campus property; after a conference call last week, the city will wait for the federal General Services Administration to work out details with the State Historic Preservation Office concerning the buildings on the site.