Kingsport board approves package of budgets, contracts and purchases on unanimous votes

The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a broad set of resolutions, ordinances and purchase orders Sept. 16, voting mostly 5‑0 on measures that range from school budget amendments to contracts for park pouring rights and Justice Center furnishings.

Key outcomes included:

• School and budget adjustments: The board approved an ordinance to amend the fiscal 2026 school general‑purpose fund to appropriate $369,884 from Ballad Health, the Niswonger Foundation and Medicaid reimbursement. The board also approved multiple budget adjustment ordinances covering fiscal 2025 and 2026 items, general projects and special revenue funds.

• Washington Elementary HVAC and school project funding: The board approved an ordinance to amend school budgets to fund replacement of Washington Elementary’s HVAC system and awarded the HVAC replacement contract to S.B. White Company Inc. The total contract award read into the record was a little over $2.2 million.

• Pedestrian bridge grant agreement: The board entered into an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to accept an additional $500,000 state appropriation for a downtown pedestrian bridge that remains in design; the resolution authorizes the mayor to execute the necessary documents.

• Pendragon Sewer Lift Station loan application: The board authorized city staff to apply for a State of Tennessee Clean Water Revolving Loan of $2,700,000 to replace the Pendragon sewer lift station, subject to later approval of loan terms if awarded.

• Energy and lighting: Council approved purchase of LED high‑mass lighting fixtures for the I‑26/Westone Drive interchange, to be reimbursed through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

• Contracts, procurements and facilities: The board approved a 10‑year pouring‑rights agreement with Coca‑Cola Bottling Company for Brickyard Park and Domtar Park (estimated returns of roughly $146,000 over the term), reimbursement and materials agreements tied to the Fieldcrest subdivision (phase 1 reimbursement of about $198,000 and a phase 2 materials agreement for approximately $127,000), purchases for Justice Center furnishings (about $300,000) and secured‑storage systems ($916,000), and renewal of the Aspen student information system contract (about $62,000). Other approved procurements included continued emergency fire vehicle maintenance under a cooperative contract (estimated $300,000) and use of cooperative purchasing for maintenance and repair supplies.

• Cybersecurity grant: The board authorized acceptance of federal Department of Homeland Security state and local cybersecurity grant funds that would allow the city to accept 600 CrowdStrike licenses and about $69,000 in federal grant funds to support cybersecurity work.

• Miscellaneous: The board approved an amendment to the city’s maintenance agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (exhibit B equipment rates), and multiple routine consent‑agenda items including agreements with the Second Judicial District drug task force and others; the full consent agenda passed on a single motion.

Most motions were moved and seconded by board members during the meeting; many roll‑call votes recorded the following pattern: Alderman Cooper — Aye; Vice Mayor Duncan — Aye; Alderman George — Aye; Alderman Phillips — Aye; Mayor Paul Montgomery — Aye. Unless noted otherwise, the board recorded outcomes as approved.