Jonesborough board sends resolution to state seeking impact‑fee authority for small towns

Jonesborough — The Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to send a resolution to the Tennessee legislature asking lawmakers to create an exception or process that would allow small municipalities without local school systems to use impact fees for transportation improvements.

Mayor Kelly Wolf said the proposal is intended to give small towns ‘‘a way to ask the state to help small rural municipalities develop a funding source specifically for transportation,’’ including roads, sidewalks and trails. Public works staff and town attorney input were described as part of drafting a flexible request designed to apply to other small cities in the state.

Mister Wheeler, the town staffer who presented the proposal, told the board that the legal framework is complicated and that prior state limits have effectively constrained local adoption: "It is not as simple as it might seem," he said, urging caution while outlining a path the town could pursue through the legislature and follow‑up local votes if the state approves changes.

The board first voted to add the resolution to the meeting agenda and then voted to approve forwarding the item to Nashville for consideration. Alderman Jenkins moved to add the resolution; Alderman Causey seconded. A subsequent motion to forward the resolution was made and carried by roll call.

The resolution directs the mayor and staff to pursue a legislative solution rather than creating a local ordinance immediately; if the legislature approves changes, the town will be required to take additional local votes (including a two‑thirds local majority where required by state law) before any new fee would take effect.

Next steps: the mayor will take the resolution to state lawmakers for consideration; the board will return the item for further action only if and when legislative authority is granted.