Jonesborough adopts annual budget with tax increase after public opposition to proposed connector road

The Town of Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday adopted its fiscal 2025-26 budget, including a property tax rate change, after a night of public comment in which multiple residents urged the board to drop a proposed connector road and to slow or phase tax increases.

The budget vote followed more than an hour of public comments during which residents said the town had not sufficiently consulted neighborhoods over a proposed connector from New Hope Road to the Sweetgrass/Ben Gamble area, and raised concerns about affordability for senior homeowners. "I created a petition that generated nearly 500 signatures," said Chase Blazer, identifying himself as an Air Force veteran and Jonesborough resident. "There has been little to no outreach on social media, no town halls being held to gauge public opinion."

The debate matters because the board explicitly tied the connector to the capital plan in the budget. Residents living in The Meadows and nearby neighborhoods described environmental, safety and property-value concerns if a road were routed through trail and wetland areas. "It will destroy a section of the trails that are used by many people," Carolyn Walsh said, describing walkers, runners and bicyclists who use the path. William Waters, who said he is a professional soil scientist, told the board parts of the trail area are floodplain and raised erosion concerns.

Why it matters: Board members and residents framed the vote around two competing priorities: making investments now to address infrastructure and staff compensation after pandemic-era wage pressure, and protecting neighborhoods and people on fixed incomes from a sudden, large tax increase. Several speakers characterized the town's proposed property tax change as a steep rise; Craig Eustace called the proposal a "28% tax increase" and urged more modest, phased increases in the future.

Board response and next steps: Mayor Wolf and Aldermen said they would increase community engagement. "We will have to invest in community engagement," Alderman Dixon said during discussion. When asked on the record whether the board would meet with The Meadows and other neighborhoods about the connector, Alderman Dixon replied, "I will ensure that." Mayor Wolf described the budget as a response to market conditions that have required higher employee pay and said the board had worked through multiple workshops to reach the proposal.

What happened at the meeting: After public comment and discussion, the board approved the fiscal-year budget and the related ordinances establishing water, sewer and other rates and the property tax rate for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. One board member recorded a "no" on the budget adoption; the motion carried. The board also directed ongoing study and community outreach on the intersection and connector concepts rather than advancing an immediate construction plan.

Context and background: Town staff and board members said the town has studied budgets and held workshops since April; staff cited inflationary pressure and recruitment/retention issues during and after the COVID-19 period as drivers for the proposed revenue adjustments. Several speakers asked for targeted relief for older residents on fixed incomes; board members said they would review options and consider additional community engagement and outreach before firming any construction schedule for a connector road.

Residents' concerns in brief: Multiple speakers asked the board to remove the connector from this budget cycle or fund only feasibility and traffic studies rather than construction. Nicholas Santiago, a resident who said he supports a small-business downtown and is on a single income, said a large tax increase would be "extremely extensive" for households like his. Several speakers urged the board to use impact fees, developer contributions or phased increases rather than a single large tax hike.

What the board said about transparency: Board members acknowledged gaps in outreach. "We will do a better job," one alderman said, and encouraged residents to attend upcoming budget workshops where staff will review line items. The board also noted that a state-mandated reappraisal in the county had affected assessed values and that Jonesborough had previously reduced its rate to mirror state guidance during that process.

Looking ahead: The board approved the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Officials said they will pursue additional neighborhood engagement around the connector concept and traffic at the New Hope/Ben Gamble area, and they invited residents to attend budget workshops to examine specific spending lines in detail.