Kingsport board approves budget adjustments, multiple equipment purchases and municipal contracts in unanimous votes

The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Oct. 21 approved a set of ordinances and resolutions that the city said were routine budget and operational measures. The board voted unanimously on each item.

Among the actions the board approved were: a fiscal-year 2026 budget adjustment ordinance to fund purchases and create contingency; a second budget ordinance on final reading; multiple fleet and public-works equipment purchases (including a 2025 CAT 265 compact track loader and a 2024 Labrie automated collection truck), cooperative-purchase orders for a 2025 Freightliner, playground equipment at Jackson Elementary School, file storage systems for the Justice Center renovation, and renewal of the Cisco Webex licenses and services.

Other actions included acceptance of a donated site shelter and generator from T-Mobile South LLC for the utilities department, an amended lease extension with American Golf Club LLC for a driving-range facility, renewal of a $500,000-per-year Accuforce agreement for temporary employment services for Kingsport City Schools, and approval of a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Secret Service to designate a sworn task-force officer.

Several purchases were made through cooperative purchasing agreements and state contracts; staff noted delivery timelines for some vehicles and that fleet costs have risen. For the Labrie automated collection truck, staff said delivery could be two to three months and that the truck might be used before a new full-time employee (FTE) for the route is added to the budget; staff estimated automated routes can make roughly 750 stops per day when fully optimized.

All motions were approved by voice or roll call. The board recorded unanimous yes votes (Alderman Baker, Alderman Cooper, Vice Mayor Duncan, Alderman George, Alderman Mays, Alderman Phillips and Mayor Montgomery) on each listed item.