Loudon City Council approves vehicle purchase, Liberty Park contingency and zoning change; budget amended for K-9 support

Loudon City Council adopted a series of resolutions and ordinances at its Sept. 22 meeting, approving a vehicle purchase for Parks, Recreation and Tourism, contingency funding for Liberty Park, a ball-diamonds use agreement, a rezoning on Commerce Street and an amendment to the FY 2025–26 budget to provide for a K-9 unit and related signage.

Council business moved quickly on several items that drew little debate. Mayor Jeff Harris presided as the council voted unanimously on voice or roll-call votes to approve the measures.

The council approved authorization to purchase a 2025 Ford F-150 for the Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. According to staff, the FY2025–26 budget included $46,851 for a new vehicle; the recommended purchase exceeds that amount by $1,786 because of the model year. Council approved the purchase after brief discussion and a voice vote.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing up to $95,000 in contingency funds for Liberty Park improvements to reduce the need for repeated change orders during construction. Council made the approval by motion and voice vote.

The council approved a use agreement with the Loudon Diamond Club for ball-diamond and concession-stand operations. Council members described the current arrangement as effective and voted to renew the agreement by motion and voice vote.

On second reading, the council adopted an ordinance to rezone property on Commerce Street (tax map 041B, parcels 222–324) from C-1, Central Business District, to P-1, Professional and Civic District. The ordinance citation referenced in the meeting was “13-7203 and 204” (as read aloud during the session). The rezoning passed on a roll-call vote: Vice Mayor Dixon — aye; Council Member Cardwell — aye; Council Member Ridings — yes; Mayor Harris — aye.

The council also approved an amendment to the FY2025–26 fiscal-year budget to provide for a K-9 unit from the Loud County Sheriff’s Department and associated items, which the meeting record tied to an LED sign on Highway 72. That amendment passed on a roll-call vote: Council Member Newman — aye; Council Member Ridings — yes; Council Member Cardwell — aye; Vice Mayor Dixon — aye; Mayor Harris — aye.

Procedural notes and limited discussion Council members asked few substantive questions on the items. On the vehicle purchase, a council member asked about the $1,786 overrun; staff said the amount reflected model-year pricing and recommended the purchase to support department operations. On the Liberty Park contingency, council and staff discussed limiting change orders and using a contingency amount to manage unforeseen costs.

What passed (selection) - Authorize purchase of 2025 Ford F-150 for Parks, Recreation and Tourism — approved (voice vote). Over budget by $1,786. - Authorize up to $95,000 contingency for Liberty Park improvements — approved (voice vote). - Approve ball-diamond and concession-stand use agreement with Loudon Diamond Club — approved (voice vote). - Adopt zoning map amendment: Commerce Street parcels (Tax Map 041B, parcels 222–324) rezoned from C-1 to P-1 — approved (roll call). - Amend FY2025–26 budget to add funding for a K-9 unit (Loud County Sheriff’s Department) and LED sign on Highway 72 — approved (roll call).

Next steps Each approved item will be implemented by staff per existing procedures: procurement and purchase orders for the vehicle, contract administration and contingency management for Liberty Park, execution of the use agreement with the Loudon Diamond Club, processing of the rezoning ordinance consistent with local code, and line-item budget adjustments for the FY2025–26 amendment.

Votes and official motions appear in the meeting minutes for Sept. 22, 2025.