KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — New ordinances would require nonprofits with Knox County contracts to not help people in Knox County who are in the country illegally.
A pair of proposed ordinances would require the executive director of any organization asking for money from the general county fund to sign a statement saying the organization doesn’t spend money to help people who are in the county while in violation of United States immigration laws. Organizations must also swear that they have practices in place to make sure no money is being used to benefit such people.
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The ordinances are on the schedule for the Knox County Commission meeting Monday October 27. However, Commissioner Angela Russell said she plans to move for a delay to give them more time to work on the wording.
The ordinances state that Knox County is dealing with “significant budget and debt challenges,” and should be a responsible steward of taxpayer money. According to the ordinances, the county’s 2026 budget has almost $2 million allocated to direct services contracts with nonprofits through the general fund and $12 million through the hotel/motel tax fund. The ordinances say the county should make sure this money is being used properly…