4 Community 2

This year the committee will focus on two areas: Water Quality and Financial Stability.

Water quality will focus on examining the streams, ditches and watersheds in Knox County for pH, nitrogen, phosphorous, dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, sulfate, E. coli, and iron. Benthic macro invertebrates will be classified to the family level. The result will be greater community awareness of water quality issues with increased community participation in water quality improvement offorts and projects. An increased in the amount of state and federal pllution mitigation funds spent in Knox County resulting in improvements in ground water and surface water quality. This will be achieved through installation of erosion control structures, use of agricultural best management practices, and changes in residential property management. It will provide improvements in community health resulting from cleaner ground water and drinking water; cleaner streams and ditches and improved recreational opportunities for the community due to cleaner surface water.

Financial stability will cover two areas: improveing the stability of low income working families through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and assisting with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

EITC is the nation's largest and most effective federal aid program for low-income workers. The tax credit was created to reduce the tax burdent on lower-income workers, supplement their wages, and encourages greater particpation in the workforce. As of 2005, the most recent statistices, in Knox County, $4.7 million in EITC credits was distributed to 2,857 filers with an average refund of $1,659. Thirty-six percent of these filers received a Refund Anticipation Loan at a cost of a minimum of $300. In 2005, another $236,988 went unclaimed according to the IRS. The program will provide EITC outreach and free tax preparation. It will enable 4 Community 2 to support low-income families by helping them secure additional income. The program will include financial education, budgeting courses, savings accounts, dept reduction education and counseling about costly commercial tax preparation.

CASA recruits and trains volunteeers who serve as advocates in court for children who have been abused or neglected. Currently there are five CASA volunteers with over 144 cases in Knox County. 4 Community 2 will help recruit volunteers and provide promotion of the program. It is felt that by reaching these children early and providing them a positive role model we can help break the cycle of government dependence and improve their experiences.