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Votes at a glance: Kingsport board approves budgets, grants, appointments and development reimbursements
Summary
At its June 17 meeting the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved multiple ordinances and resolutions — including budget adjustments, utility budgets, grant agreements, a SAFER grant application and development materials agreements — most by unanimous vote.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen completed a series of final votes June 17 that implemented the city’s fiscal 2025–26 spending plan and approved several grant and development actions. Most items passed unanimously or with recorded abstentions where noted.
Key outcomes
- Appointment to Tri-Cities Airport Authority: The board approved a motion to appoint City Manager Chris McCart to serve on the Tri-Cities Airport Authority, replacing Ken Maness. The motion carried on voice vote.
- Budget cleanups and appropriations: A budget adjustment “cleanup” ordinance for fiscal 2025 passed on first reading and the second-reading ordinance adopting multiple year-end fund adjustments was approved 7-0. The water and sewer budgets for FY2026 were adopted on second reading, each passing 7-0.
- General fund budget: The fiscal 2025–26 general fund budget ordinance passed on second and final reading 6-1 (see separate article for full budget discussion and public hearing).
- Grants and federal funds: The board approved multiple grant-related ordinances and resolutions, including: - Adoption of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning (MPO) grant fund budget (federal funds administered through Virginia Department of Transportation/FHWA) — approved 7-0. - Adoption of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund budget (HUD funds) — approved 7-0; related CDBG subrecipient agreements allocating funds to local nonprofits and housing programs were authorized 7-0. - Adoption of school grant project funds (PL 93–380 and special school grants) — adopted 7-0. - Resolution authorizing submission of a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — approved 7-0. City staff said an awarded SAFER grant would fund five full-time firefighter positions over three years; the city would assume the full cost after the grant period.
- Development materials agreements and reimbursements: - The board approved a reimbursement to Landstar LLC related to Riverbend Townhomes Phase 1 in the amount of $44,402.14; the motion passed with one recorded abstention (6-0-1). - The board authorized a materials agreement with Landstar LLC for Riverbend Townhomes Phase 2 (application amount $74,697.83); the motion passed with one recorded abstention (6-0-1). Staff said these materials agreements use city specifications and are part of a program to support development and expand the tax base.
- Other approvals: The board adopted a fee resolution that staff estimated would generate roughly $50,000 on the general-fund side, renewed several city contracts, and approved consent-agenda items (six items) by voice/roll call vote (consent agenda approved 7-0).
Votes and procedure notes: Many items were approved unanimously in roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. Where roll-call tallies were provided in the record, this roundup uses the official tallies read during the meeting. On items exceeding manager-level thresholds (materials agreements over $50,000), the board took the initial authorization vote; reimbursements come later after materials are installed.
Why it matters: The votes completed the municipal budgeting process, enabled grant applications and funding for housing and transportation planning, and advanced specific development projects. The SAFER application, if awarded, would affect staffing and operating costs for the fire department after the federal grant period ends.
What’s next: Staff will execute the approved subrecipient agreements, submit the SAFER grant application, process the Landstar reimbursements once materials are verified in the ground, and carry out planned budget appropriations effective July 1, 2025. The board asked staff to continue monitoring federal funding sources such as CDBG and to report back on grant availability.
This list captures the principal formal votes taken at the June 17 meeting; individual ordinance and resolution texts provide complete funding amounts, authorizations and legal language.
