Jonesborough aldermen approve multiple contracts, event permits and personnel changes; sidewalk decision deferred

Jonesborough’s Board of Aldermen approved a series of contracts, special-event permits, personnel actions and a new employee insurance plan at its regular meeting, while deferring a sidewalk contract pending additional outreach to property owners.

The board approved federal- and state-funded transportation and utility contracts, awarded a traffic-signal installation bid, authorized special-event permits for three downtown festivals and approved two municipal job descriptions and reappointments to an advisory board. Aldermen also approved continuing the town’s employee insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield at a 5.17% renewal rate.

The meeting’s approvals included a $887,229 low bid from Stansell Electric Co. to install a permanent signal at the Tiger Way/Lehi/Wendy’s intersection and multiple smaller contracts for water infrastructure and seasonal services. The board also approved special-event permits for the Wizardly World of Jonesborough (Aug. 9), Pumpkin Fest (Sept. 20) and Jeep Fest (Labor Day, Sept. 1). Officials approved an outdoor-use permit for Pneuma Coffee’s Fox Street location and accepted a Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance agreement. Reappointments to the Tree & Town Skateboard advisory group (Nancy Kavanaugh, Virginia Kennedy and Melinda Kopp) were approved.

On personnel matters, the board approved two funded job descriptions for the McKinney Center (Arts & Culture Education Assistant and Story Town Assistant) and approved hiring a utilities maintenance supervisor position tied to a USDA-funded generator project. Utilities manager Kevin Grobak told the board that generator lead times are long and that preparations (concrete pads, conduit) need to be complete before delivery. Grobak said, “lead time on our generators… is already been ordered, 22 to 26 weeks,” and described an expectation that much of the new position’s early work will be reimbursed by USDA sources.

The board approved continuing Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage with the recommended plan at a 5.17% increase; aldermen added a condition that any additional employee premium contributions not be withheld until the FY-26 budget is adopted.

Votes at a glance - Consent/standard meeting items: motion to approve carried (moved by Alderman Counterman; second Alderman Causey). Outcome: approved. - Financial report: motion to approve carried (moved by Alderman Dixon; second Alderman Counterman). Outcome: approved. - Wizardly World of Jonesborough special-event permit (Aug. 9): motion to approve carried (moved by Autumn [last name not specified]; second Alderman Dixon). Outcome: approved. - Pumpkin Fest special-event permit (Sept. 20): motion to approve carried (moved by Alderman Dixon; second Alderman Counterman). Outcome: approved. - Jeep Fest special-event permit (Labor Day, Sept. 1): motion to approve carried (motion and second recorded). Outcome: approved. - Outdoor use permit for Pneuma Coffee (Fox Street): motion to approve carried (moved by Alderman Dixon; second Alderman Counterman). Outcome: approved. - TDOT state highway maintenance contract: motion to approve carried. Outcome: approved. - Snow Hut (water park) seasonal contract: motion to approve carried. Outcome: approved. - Tiger Way signalization — bid award to Stansell Electric Co., $887,229 (federal/state funding through TDOT): motion to approve carried (moved by Alderman Causey; second Alderman Counterman). Outcome: approved. - Charlie Hicks and Bumpus Cove pump-station contract (county water-line project): motion to approve carried. Outcome: approved. - Automatic aid agreement between Jonesborough Fire Department and Washington County/Johnson City EMS (five-year agreement): motion to approve carried (clerical date correction requested before signing). Outcome: approved. - Utilities maintenance supervisor position and funding (tied to USDA generator project): motion to approve carried. Outcome: approved. - McKinney Center job descriptions (Arts & Culture Education Assistant; Story Town Assistant): motion to approve carried. Outcome: approved. - FY26 employee insurance plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield, plan option indicated in packet): motion to approve carried with a proviso delaying employee premium changes until the budget is adopted. Outcome: approved.

Deferred items - Replacement of the West Main Street sidewalk (Second Avenue to Washington Drive): aldermen requested the town contact remaining homeowners on the east side of the block before awarding the contract; the item was deferred to the next meeting.

Why it matters - The Tiger Way signalization award — a nearly $900,000 federally and state-funded project — should replace a temporary signal and add data-driven traffic controls for the Lehi/Main corridor. The utilities hire and generator project are intended to expedite multiyear infrastructure work and rely heavily on USDA funding for early-phase tasks. Approvals for festivals and downtown outdoor use maintain Jonesborough’s event calendar but triggered an extended discussion about public-safety staffing and overtime costs (see separate article).

Meeting context - Mayor Adam Bisbee presided. Several agenda items were moved, seconded and carried by voice votes; where specific tallies were recorded the minutes show successive “Aye” responses from aldermen present. Town staff described project schedules and funding sources; aldermen requested additional neighbor outreach and clarifications on contract dates and agreement start dates where necessary.

Ending - With the approvals complete and one sidewalk award deferred for homeowner outreach, the board adjourned the regular meeting and moved to an executive session for a litigation matter. No decisions were taken in that executive session during the public portion of the meeting.