Jonesborough board approves first readings on budget and water/sewer rates, funds downtown repairs and trail work; camera resolution passes

The Town of Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a package of first-readings, contract awards and project approvals including the first reading of the fiscal 2025–26 budgets and property tax rate (Ordinance B2501), approval of a sidewalk and trail bid, and a resolution to deploy a small fleet of license-plate-reading (Flock-style) cameras.

The board approved the ordinance caption adopting the general fund, solid waste fund, Jackson Theater fund, drug enforcement fund, debt service fund and capital projects fund budgets and establishing the property tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 (Ordinance B2501) on first reading. The meeting also advanced first readings of an ordinance establishing garbage/refuse collection fees (Ordinance B2502) and new water and sewer rates.

Several capital and maintenance actions were approved or moved forward: - The board awarded a bid for Frontier Walkway Phase 2 to Precision Concrete Finishing for $205,373.60, funded by state grants and a Local Parks & Recreation Fund (LPRF) grant (the board cited a $1.7 million LPRF award to bridge a larger funding gap). The motion was amended to add a pro-rata sidewalk refurbishing segment on Second Avenue from Main Street to the railroad. - The board approved a contract bid of $45,360 from Andrews & Huskins for repair of the International Storytelling Center rear deck; the town noted a grant will cover most costs and the town's estimated share is about $9,000. - The board approved a downtown solid-waste enclosure (dumpster) in the Option 2 configuration, with construction contingent on a signed agreement with the private property owner that will host the enclosure. - A list of street resurfacing priorities (10 streets, including Washington with a demixed asphalt surface for traction on steeper grades) was approved for initial work with county cooperation.

Public safety and operations actions included approval of a resolution authorizing use of automatic license-plate-reading cameras. Board members discussed privacy trade-offs and stressed the devices are intended to help with stolen vehicles and law enforcement alerts; the board approved an initial deployment of three cameras.

Other matters: first reading passed to reduce the Tree and Townscape Board membership from 13 to 9; a first reading approved an annexation request for property off Shell Road (Thomason annexation); the town adopted a new approach to building valuation/plan review fees by referencing the International Building Code valuation table to resolve disputes; and the board authorized the street department to perform utility cut repairs outside municipal limits using recently acquired equipment, with a fee schedule to follow.

During public comment resident Lon Reed said the proposed budget represented a "28% increase in our tax base" and urged caution, calling such an increase "cruel" for residents on fixed incomes. The board and finance director discussed the budget's capital projects fund and a list of proposed capital items, including public safety vehicles ($625,000), public works equipment ($125,000), road resurfacing ($500,000), and a connector road ($130,000). The board also noted the town has 150 employees and that prior efforts raised average pay to about $51,000.

The board deferred final action on a compensation plan and directed staff to return with more detailed salary schedules at a later meeting. Tap fees for water and sewer will be adjusted; staff said the budget projects increased tap revenue and that final fee tables will be presented on second reading.

Votes at a glance (selected items): the board approved the consent agenda; accepted the Option 2 dumpster plan; approved the Frontier Walkway Phase 2 bid (amended to include Second Avenue repairs); approved the storytelling center deck repair contract; approved the Thomason annexation first reading; approved the Tree and Townscape membership reduction first reading; approved using the IBC valuation table for plan review disputes; approved the license-plate-reading camera resolution; approved the initial paving/street list; approved the street/utility repair plan allowing the town crew to work outside town limits; approved Ordinances B2501 (first reading) and B2502 (first reading) and first reading for new water/sewer rates; and deferred the compensation ordinance.

Speakers who appear in the record on these items included Mayor Chuck Vest, Vice Mayor Adam Dixon, Finance Director Janet (last name not specified during meeting), Municipal staff including Craig Ford and utility and streets staff, HR Director Michelle Shelton Stewart, Solid Waste Director Vince, resident Lon Reed, and several aldermen (Causey, Counterman/Countermine/Countermind, Dixon). Where the transcript gave multiple variants of some surnames, this report uses the names as consistently recorded in the meeting.