City Manager Kathy Ball presented a year‑end review to the Johnson City Board of Commissioners on Dec. 18, summarizing 2025 accomplishments, metrics and upcoming projects the city will pursue in 2026.

Ball said staff sheltered approximately 90 people during the year and reported $1.2 million in ticket sales at Freedom Hall Civic Center and more than 100,000 downtown visitors. Ball highlighted capital projects and partnerships, calling the Burlington Mills redevelopment a "$240,000,000 project" expected to include retail and residential components and to generate substantial local economic impact. She also said residents from the John Sevier facility will be moved into a new location by Christmas and described related redevelopment work downtown.

On public safety initiatives, Ball reviewed a 'Safe City' program that adds cameras and monitoring tools. She noted data tied to a change in alcohol off‑sale hours (Ordinance 49‑25‑25) and said certain crime categories fell in the comparison windows presented: "aggravated assaults were down 60%," she said, while acknowledging simple assaults had risen in the same period.

Ball outlined a slate of infrastructure projects for 2026, including phases of the Knob Creek improvement and an Iris Glen landfill expansion effort with permitting planned through 2027; she also referenced a $3,000,000 state grant for a Cherokee stormwater/regional detention project and a $5,000,000 award for the First Frontier Trail connecting Jonesborough to ETSU. Ball said the city retained its AA (Moody’s) bond rating and won Government Finance Officers Association awards for budgeting and reporting.

Commissioners responded with praise for city staff and Ball’s leadership; the meeting concluded with holiday remarks and thanks to employees and partners.