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Kingsport approves budget adjustments, school funding transfers, bonds and multiple resolutions in 6–0 votes

Board of Mayor and Aldermen, City of Kingsport · January 21, 2026

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Summary

The Kingsport board approved a bundle of ordinances and resolutions — including budget adjustments for police drones and fire equipment, school budget amendments, architectural agreements for school projects, generator services renewal, lease amendments, vehicle purchases, demolition change order, drone purchase, and bond refunding/issuance — typically by unanimous 6–0 votes.

At its Jan. 20 meeting the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a series of ordinances and resolutions covering budget changes, school finance transfers, contracts and bond actions.

Key approvals included a budget adjustment ordinance (first and second readings) authorizing funding for police drones, self‑contained breathing apparatus for fire personnel and additions to the fire fleet; a second/final reading amendment moving funds within the general purpose school and project funds (sourced from the school board's unreserved fund balance); and resolutions authorizing agreements with Thompson Litton for design work related to Lynn View Community Center and Dobyns‑Bennett High School renovations. The board also approved a Dell purchase order for school laptops, renewed a generator services contract with Nixon Power Services (~$62,000 annually), extended a lease with Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency (five‑year extension, fixed rate with 20¢ annual increase), and amended a United Way lease to reduce square footage and monthly cost.

Capital and finance actions included authorization to pursue refunding of Series 2013B general obligation bonds (Series 2026B refunding, not‑to‑exceed ~$12–12.5 million) and initial and authorizing resolutions to issue up to $16.5 million in General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds (Series 2026A) to fund road improvements, a $750,000 city share of a state industrial access road, sewer fund projects (~$3 million), and other capital items. Staff estimated possible interest savings from refunding and emphasized a mix of cash funding where feasible.

Procurement and operational items approved included purchase of three 2026 Chevrolet trucks (fire department fleet), ratification of a $21,618 change order for asbestos abatement on the Boone Street demolition, and authorization to buy a Skydio drone for the police department (roughly $75,000) funded principally through drug‑seized funds plus some local budget. Most items passed without extended debate, typically by 6–0 votes recorded by voice or roll call.