KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Knoxville's new class of police recruits is not quite halfway through training, and six of its 41 members have withdrawn.

But if the remainder can pass the courses in law and procedure,
and survive the field training following graduation in February, their numbers will bring the force to near full-complement for the first time in eight years.

"We want strong safe and secure neighborhoods, we want our city to be able to develop to the best of its potential," says Brenda Palmer, newly-elected to represent Knoxville's 3rd City Council District.

Palmer, and other Council newbies, likely won't have to figure out how to pay for this new recruit class. The current budget has 'built in' the costs of wages and training.

But they know it'll be a stretch to continue services at current levels, with stagnant or shrinking revenues.

"We don't want to tax people that are already having hard economic times, so certainly it'll be the goal not to increase taxes," says Nick Pavlis, returning to Council after a six-year absence.

"I think we need to look at some new sources, new thoughts about revenue," Palmer says.

"New sales taxes? I wouldn't go there."

Palmer hasn't spelled out where she would go, except that she believes more annexations aren't the answer either.

She, and fellow Council member-to-be Nick Della Volpe agree that Knoxville has to 'grow its pie' by promoting business development.

"The focus needs to be on restoring and renewing what we have," Della Volpe says.

"Make areas profitable so that private money is spent in that area. I'm talking private money as opposed to tax money, but some of it will be spent to incentivize it."

New members acknowledge, they face a learning curve.

"It'll take about two years, for everybody to have experienced everything for the first time, Pavlis says.

Two years is half of an elected term. And Council members face a larger challenge; Mayor Bill Haslam is campaigning for the Republican nomination for Governor.

"I think the store is being minded." Della Volpe says.

"As to his (Haslam's) personal schedule and time, you'll have to ask him."

"Obviously, they'll be quick studies I'm sure," Pavlis says.

Odds are, by necessity--we on Main street will hear a lot more terms more common to Wall Street, such as 'leveraging'; leveraging tax breaks, and tax collections, to spark the most growth with the least
risk or expenditure of taxpayer dollars.