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Kingsport board approves budget amendments, zoning change, engineering and road agreements; votes unanimous
Summary
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Kingsport approved multiple budget ordinances, a rezoning, engineering and resurfacing contracts, and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes pilot for a new manufacturer in a series of unanimous votes at its February business meeting.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Kingsport adopted multiple ordinances and resolutions on matters ranging from budget amendments and grant appropriations to zoning changes and contracts for infrastructure and economic development, all by unanimous votes.
The board approved amendments to various fund budgets that included accepting a $500 donation from the Kingsport Chamber Foundation, applying opioid settlement funds of $23,005.84, and shifting utility project dollars. It also approved a separate budget amendment providing $150,000 in additional funding for Pet Works, the nonprofit that operates the city animal shelter and animal-control services. On final reading the board appropriated $25,181 from the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for fiscal 2024. A separate ordinance rezoned property along Brookside Drive (Tax Map 47, Parcel 2.2) from M-1 Light Manufacturing to B-3 Highway-Oriented Business on second and final reading.
On resolutions, the board authorized the mayor to execute agreement number 240447 with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for resurfacing various roadways (funded through Metropolitan Planning Organization/TDOT processes, with the city providing a 20% match); and it approved an engineering-services agreement with LJA Engineering, Inc., for phase 2 sanitary-sewer inspection services in the West Kingsport Sewer Basin, covering manhole inspections, GPS surveying, smoke testing, CCTV inspection/cleaning, and an engineering summary report. The board also authorized the Industrial Development Board to negotiate and accept payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes with O'Neil Manufacturing Services LLC as a short pilot, noting an anticipated workforce of about 30 jobs.
The five-item consent agenda passed as submitted and included acceptance of the Chamber Foundation donation; cancellation and rescheduling of March meetings and addition of a February 28 budget work session; a property-damage release with Progressive Hawaii Insurance Corporation; issuance of a certificate of compliance for a retail alcoholic-beverage business; and designation of officials authorized to execute banking transactions.
All recorded votes on ordinances and resolutions in the meeting were unanimous (6-0). Where a roll call was requested, the board recorded affirmative votes by Alderman Pamela Cooper; Vice Mayor Duncan; Alderman George; Alderman Mays; Alderman Alvin Phillips; and Mayor Paul W. Montgomery.
Votes at a glance (motions, identifying details, outcome): - Approval of meeting minutes (work session 01/21/2025 and business meeting 01/21/2025). Motion by Vice Mayor Duncan; second by Alderman Cooper. Outcome: approved, unanimous (6-0). - Ordinance (various fund budgets) accepting Chamber Foundation donation ($500), opioid settlement $23,005.84, and utility project fund moves. Outcome: ordinance adopted, unanimous (6-0). - Ordinance (general fund amendment) providing $150,000 to Pet Works (animal shelter/nonprofit). Motion: first reading approval. Outcome: approved on first reading, unanimous (6-0). - Ordinance (various fund budgets) — additional amendments passed on first reading/second reading as read. Outcome: ordinance adopted, unanimous (6-0). - Ordinance appropriating $25,181 (Edward Byrne Memorial JAG grant, DOJ) — second and final reading. Outcome: ordinance adopted, unanimous (6-0). Vote recorded by roll call. - Ordinance to rezone Tax Map 47, Parcel 2.2 (Brookside Drive) from M-1 to B-3 (B-3 Highway Oriented Business) — second and final reading. Outcome: ordinance adopted, unanimous (6-0). Vote recorded by roll call. - Resolution approving TDOT Agreement No. 240447 for resurfacing (Metapie Parkway and Ore Bank Road). Outcome: resolution adopted, unanimous (6-0). - Resolution authorizing agreement with LJA Engineering, Inc., for phase 2 sanitary-sewer inspection (West Kingsport Sewer Basin). Outcome: resolution adopted, unanimous (6-0). - Resolution authorizing the Industrial Development Board to negotiate/accept a PILOT with O'Neil Manufacturing Services LLC (manufacturing operation in Sullivan Gardens Parkway area). Outcome: resolution adopted, unanimous (6-0). Board discussion noted an estimated 30 jobs. - Consent agenda (5 items: accept donation; cancel/reschedule March meetings; property-damage release with Progressive Hawaii Insurance Corporation; certificate of compliance for retail alcoholic-beverage business; designate banking-authorized officials). Outcome: approved, unanimous (6-0).
Discussion vs. decision: Most items were presented by city staff and approved with little debate. The resurfacing resolution prompted questions from board members about the length of time between project authorization and TDOT funding/ construction (members noted prior multi-year delays and the potential need to shorten project scope or add local funding if future costs rise). The sewer-inspection contract was presented as a planning and condition-assessment step to guide future capital investments. The PILOT for O'Neil Manufacturing was presented as a short pilot to provide personal-property tax savings; board members repeatedly thanked staff and regional partners and noted the company anticipates about 30 jobs.
Ending note: All formal actions in the meeting were approved unanimously by the six members present. No items were tabled or failed on the business meeting agenda.
