Loudon City Council approves budget amendment, property sale and multiple contracts

Loudon City Council adopted an amended 2024–25 fiscal-year budget and approved several contracts and local agreements during its Feb. 24 meeting, Mayor Jeff Harris said, closing a public hearing that drew no public comment.

The actions included approval to sell a parcel in the Center 75 business project to the local utilities authority, authorization of a $18.99 million contracting agreement for municipal work, and a professional services agreement to assess and procure a new Customer Information System (CIS) platform. Council also approved smaller procurement and facility agreements, declared a city vehicle surplus, and passed a resolution asking the state General Assembly to process a private-act charter amendment that would allow the city to pursue impact fees in the future.

The council’s vote to adopt the budget amendment came on second reading after a public hearing with no speakers. Mayor Jeff Harris led the roll call for the ordinance vote; Council member Newman, Council member Carbone, Vice Mayor Dixon, Council member Ridings and Mayor Jeff Harris voted in favor.

Why it matters: the budget ordinance sets the city’s fiscal priorities for 2024–25 and authorizes spending changes for the coming year. The contract and sale approvals move several capital and operational projects forward, including site work in the industrial park and a multi-year public-works contract that carries the largest dollar value reported at the meeting.

What the council approved and key details

- Sale of Center 75 parcel to utilities authority: The council approved a resolution authorizing sale of a property in the Center 75 business project. The purchase price discussed at the meeting was $504,300; council discussion referenced the city receiving 40 percent of that amount. Travis (city staff) reported on recent geotechnical testing and said, “all the soil samples and everything tested good.” The motion passed 4–1 (tally announced by the mayor).

- Private-act charter amendment resolution: Council approved a resolution requesting that the Tennessee General Assembly consider a private-act charter amendment to add authority for impact fees. Council members voted to pass the resolution by voice vote; the mayor said the change requires subsequent action by the legislature and then a final local adoption by two-thirds of the council after the law is signed.

- Agreement with the Speegler Group for CIS assessment and procurement: The council authorized a professional-services agreement to evaluate and run a procurement for a new Customer Information System (CIS). David Bruno, of the Speegler Group, outlined a four-phase plan—requirements, RFP development, vendor evaluation and implementation—and summarized the project with the carpenter’s maxim, “measured twice, cut once.” The project is budgeted to run through June 2026 and the city’s cost will be split 50/50 with the utilities authority.

- Contract award to Thomas Contracting LLC: Council authorized a multi-year contract with Thomas Contracting LLC for municipal work, described at an annual amount of $18,989,139 with a two-year term and an option to negotiate a third year. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Park and maintenance agreements and small procurements: The council approved a use agreement for ball diamonds and the concession stand with the Loud Diamond Club at Loud Municipal Park; authorized a maintenance contract for pool fixtures and a water slide at $30,482 through a national cooperative procurement; and declared a 2001 Ford F-350 dump truck surplus.

- Other resolutions and routine items: Council approved a resolution supporting a state designation for a regional tourism initiative at the request of a state representative, accepted a fuel quote from Valley Oil Company as the low bidder for projected fuel needs, and celebrated employee anniversaries and civic recognitions.

Discussion and council context

Mitch Miller, a resident who spoke during the citizens-input portion, said he supported the sale of the Center 75 property but asked the council and utilities board to choose the alternate site set back about 500 feet from the road and to prepare a communication plan for residents who will be affected by line construction along Queena Road. The mayor acknowledged Miller’s comments and staff answered technical questions before the sale vote.

Travis (city staff) gave the council a site update, describing shallow fill and localized limestone that will require earthwork and potential contract provisions; he said borrowed fill from nearby city-owned property could be used to prepare the pad. David Bruno outlined the CIS project timeline and the consultant’s approach to vendor selection and implementation.

Ending note

Council members emphasized that several approvals will require further administrative work—contract bidding, rock or “rock clause” language for earthwork, and coordinated communication with affected residents—before projects proceed. The budget amendment and the larger contract awards give staff the authority to move those next steps forward.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance adoption: Amendment to the 2024–25 fiscal-year budget — Passed (roll call: Council member Newman — Aye; Council member Carbone — Aye; Vice Mayor Dixon — Aye; Council member Ridings — Aye; Mayor Jeff Harris — Aye).

- Resolution: Authorize sale of Center 75 business-park parcel — Passed (voice vote; announced tally 4–1). Purchase price discussed: $504,300; city share discussed: 40%.

- Resolution: Request private-act charter amendment (impact-fee enabling) — Passed (voice vote).

- Contract award: Thomas Contracting LLC — Authorized (two-year term with option for third year; annual amount cited $18,989,139; passed by voice vote).

- Professional services: Speegler Group agreement (CIS assessment/procurement) — Authorized (city/utilities split 50/50; timeline through June 2026; passed by voice vote).

- Agreement: Loud Diamond Club use of ball diamonds and concession stand — Approved (voice vote).

- Maintenance contract: Pool and water-slide maintenance ($30,482) — Approved (procured through a national cooperative; voice vote).

- Surplus declaration: 2001 Ford F-350 dump truck — Declared surplus (voice vote).

(Several other consent and departmental items were approved without detailed discussion.)