Bristol City Council approves utility and budget-related measures; debates temporary commercial use and right-of-way deal

Bristol, Tennessee — The Bristol City Council on May 6 approved a package of utility rate and municipal service measures, adopted a five‑year consolidated plan for federal housing funds and authorized an agreement letting Brightspeed use city rights of way at a standard per‑foot rental rate. The council debated but rejected a proposed ordinance to allow repeated temporary commercial events on a B‑3 parcel along Sweet Knobbs Trail and did not advance a separate proposal to add RV/boat storage as a special use in B‑3.

Council took the most significant financial actions first: City Manager Kelly Bourgeois presented recommendations based on a Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) rate study and the council approved increases to water and sanitary sewer rates to shore up enterprise balances and avoid state intervention. Bourgeois told the council the city “was in jeopardy of going negative in that enterprise balance.” The increases take effect with the July 2025 billing cycle and include staged percentage adjustments in later years; sanitary sewer discussion also noted ongoing capital needs tied to a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) director’s order on inflow and infiltration that will require later study and likely additional expenditure.

Why it matters: the votes reprice essential services that affect most households, aim to stabilize utility funds and keep local control of operations and rates. The council also used its meeting to approve the city’s HUD consolidated plan and one‑year action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds, and to authorize contracts and operating agreements that affect public infrastructure and facilities.

Key outcomes and context

- Utility rates: The council approved Ordinance 25‑8 (water) and Ordinance 25‑9 (sanitary sewer) on their first reading. Bourgeois said the proposal follows an MTAS study and would set inside‑city water and sewer increases of 10% initially and 20% for outside‑city users, with further staged increases thereafter tied to an index. On sanitary sewer, Bourgeois and staff noted the city is under a TDEC director’s order related to inflow and infiltration (I&I) and that substantial capital pipe improvements are likely; she said those capital needs are not fully quantified yet and will require revisiting the rates when studies are complete. The council’s roll call for both measures was unanimous (5–0).

- Solid waste fees: Resolution 25‑48 increased trash collection pricing modestly and eliminated a second‑can discount. Per the adopted resolution, the per‑container monthly charge will rise by $2 to $18.50 and the previous discount for multiple cans will be eliminated; property‑tax‑relief participants will continue to be charged $9 for a first can with subsequent cans at the standard rate. The council approved the change unanimously (5–0).

- HUD consolidated plan (CDBG/HOME): The council approved Resolution 25‑47 to submit Bristol’s five‑year consolidated plan and the 2025–26 action plan to HUD. Tyler Gillenwater summarized that CDBG funds are expected at roughly $225,502 and HOME funding at about $1,057,104.78 for the consortium year; the action plan allocates CDBG and HOME amounts among consortium jurisdictions and for housing rehab, first‑time homebuyer assistance and other programs. The resolution passed 5–0 after the advertised public hearings.

- Brightspeed right‑of‑way agreement: The council approved Resolution 25‑49 authorizing a right‑of‑way access agreement with Connect Holding 2, LLC (doing business as Brightspeed) charging 25¢ per linear foot for use of city rights of way (applied to their existing and planned facilities). City Attorney Danielle Smith said the rate is consistent with prior local practice and comparable to revenues from other utilities; she noted escalators are included. Council members pressed for enforceable language requiring Brightspeed to repair roadways and remove or relocate facilities when necessary, and staff pointed to contract provisions requiring restoration and allowing the city remedies if work is not performed. The resolution passed 5–0.

- Stadium operating agreement: Resolution 25‑50 authorizes a stadium operating agreement among the city, Boyd Sports LLC and Bristol Tennessee City Schools for Todd Houston Baseball Field. The agreement as presented includes city and school system capital commitments and a Boyd Sports contribution; the city’s listed contribution was $5,000,000, the school system $1,500,000 and Boyd Sports $2,000,000, with Boyd Sports also providing an annual payment to the city. The council approved the resolution 5–0.

- Rezoning at Bellbrook Road: Ordinance 25‑7 to rezone property at 247–261 Bellbrook Road from R‑1A to R‑2 (single family/duplex) was heard in a public hearing, had a favorable planning commission recommendation and passed its second reading (ordinance adoption) by roll call vote 5–0.

- Annexation process started: Resolution 25‑51 set public hearings for an owner‑requested annexation of two parcels on Beaver Creek Road (owner: Walter L. Lehi Harbor). Planning staff presented a draft plan of services noting that public sanitary sewer is available but that any extension to serve future development would be at the developer’s expense. The council approved setting hearings, 5–0.

- Failed and withdrawn zoning items tied to Sweet Knobbs Trail/B‑3: Two related items prompted extended discussion. Ordinance 25‑11 would have amended the zoning code to permit limited temporary commercial events on parcels larger than one acre in B‑3 that lack permanent structures; the planning commission recommended the amendment narrowly but the item drew concern from several council members about precedent, administrative discretion and sewer‑access inequities. The council voted it down (4–1: Fire Robin No; Hutton No; Powers No; Acard No; Turner Yes). A separate proposal (Ordinance 25‑12) to allow RV and boat storage in B‑3 as a special‑use permit received a motion but no second and therefore did not advance.

- Appointments and consent items: The council appointed Ella Kane and Stephen Willinger to the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC). The consent agenda — including items such as temporary right‑of‑way use for a downtown event, a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, an adjustment to a demolition landfill financial assurance agreement, a TransUnion agreement for credit monitoring after a data security incident, and purchase of an HVAC unit for the Slater Center — was approved unanimously.

Discussion highlights and next steps

- Utilities and TDEC requirements: Staff emphasized that the sanitary sewer rate increases address operating shortfalls but do not yet cover anticipated I&I capital work required to comply with a TDEC director’s order. Bourgeois said the city has “included numbers in the capital improvements plan” but that the full study results are pending; staff said the utility fund will likely be revisited once that data is available.

- Brightspeed and street repairs: Council members pressed for accountability and timely repairs when telecom work disturbs city streets. Danielle Smith said the draft agreement contains repair and restoration obligations and that rental revenue can help fund repaving where necessary.

- Temporary commercial use and precedence: Opponents of Ordinance 25‑11 argued the change would set a precedent allowing repeated long events on parcels that do not have sewer access and could alter expectations for B‑3. Supporters framed it as a temporary use allowance that would permit economic activity on otherwise unused property until sewer extensions are feasible.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Ordinance 25‑8 (fix water rates) — action: ordinance_first_reading; outcome: approved; vote: Fire Robin yes; Hutton yes; Powers yes; Acard yes; Turner yes. - Ordinance 25‑9 (fix sanitary sewer rates) — action: ordinance_first_reading; outcome: approved; vote: Fire Robin yes; Hutton yes; Powers yes; Acard yes; Turner yes. - Ordinance 25‑6 (local limits — sewer discharge regs) — action: ordinance_adoption (second reading); outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). - Ordinance 25‑7 (rezoning Bellbrook Road to R‑2) — action: ordinance_adoption (second reading); outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). - Ordinance 25‑10 (residential orientation standard) — action: ordinance_first_reading; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). - Ordinance 25‑11 (temporary commercial uses on eligible B‑3 parcels) — action: ordinance_first_reading; outcome: failed; vote: Fire Robin no; Hutton no; Powers no; Acard no; Turner yes. - Ordinance 25‑12 (RV/boat storage in B‑3 special use) — action: ordinance_first_reading; outcome: no action (motion lacked second). - Resolution 25‑47 (CDBG/HOME consolidated plan and 2025–26 action plan) — action: resolution; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). Key allocations: CDBG ≈ $225,502; HOME ≈ $1,057,104.78 (consortium distribution shown in plan). - Resolution 25‑48 (solid waste fee adjustments) — action: resolution; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). Key change: monthly per‑container fee raised to $18.50; property tax relief participants keep first can at $9. - Resolution 25‑49 (right‑of‑way agreement with Brightspeed) — action: contract_award; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). Rate: $0.25 per linear foot on existing and future footage; escalator provisions included. - Resolution 25‑50 (stadium operating agreement with Boyd Sports & BTCS) — action: contract_award; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). City contribution shown in agreement: $5,000,000; school system $1,500,000; Boyd Sports $2,000,000; Boyd Sports annual payment to city noted in agreement. - Resolution 25‑51 (set public hearings on owner‑requested annexation, Beaver Creek Road) — action: resolution; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0). Parcel size noted in plan of services: 3.66 acres; draft service plan indicates sewer access exists but any extension to serve future development is the developer’s responsibility. - Appointment — CDAC: Ella Kane and Stephen Willinger — action: appointment; outcome: approved by council consensus. - Consent agenda (Resolutions 25‑52 through 25‑58 and related items) — action: resolution/consent; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous (5–0).

What to watch next

- Staff will return with the sanitary sewer I&I study and more precise cost estimates tied to the TDEC director’s order. Council signaled it will revisit utility finances once those numbers are available. - Brightspeed implementation: staff will monitor restoration and enforcement of the contract’s repair obligations and the initial rental collections. - Annexation hearings: public notices and hearings will proceed this summer; rezoning and final approvals would follow if the annexation moves forward.

Selected direct quotes

- City Manager Kelly Bourgeois on utility finances: “We were in jeopardy of going negative in that enterprise balance.” - Tyler Gillenwater on federal planning requirements: “As a recipient of CDBG and HOME, we are required every 5 years by HUD to submit this consolidated plan.” - City Attorney Danielle Smith on the Brightspeed deal: “This 25¢ per linear foot is a fair, and reasonable rental rate for the use of the city streets.”

Speakers quoted above and cited in this story spoke during the city council meeting on May 6; full meeting minutes, ordinance texts, the HUD consolidated plan and the Brightspeed draft agreement are available from city staff and on bristoltennessee.org for those seeking the underlying documents.

Ending note: Council members stressed that several matters — notably the sewer I&I capital needs and details of right‑of‑way restoration — remain active, and staff will return with further studies, cost estimates and possible ordinance adjustments in coming weeks.