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Jonesborough board approves series of routine measures including Atmos franchise, park contract authority and sewer code update
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Summary
At its meeting the board approved a one‑year Atmos Energy franchise renewal, authorized services for a Persimmon Ridge Park LPRF grant, approved capital equipment borrowing, advanced a full rewrite of the sewer code on first reading, and adopted streetlight and senior-center fee changes.
Jonesborough’s Board of Aldermen voted to approve a package of routine measures and administrative actions, including a one‑year franchise for Atmos Energy, contracting authority tied to a park grant, capital equipment borrowing, and several service and fee updates.
Atmos Energy franchise: On second reading the board approved a one-year franchise agreement allowing Atmos Energy to continue to operate and maintain its existing natural-gas distribution infrastructure in Jonesborough. Mayor Wolf said there is no substantive change with the current franchise and staff will negotiate a longer-term agreement before the next year.
Parks and capital: The council approved hiring administrative, engineering and architectural services required to accept a 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LPRF) grant for Persimmon Ridge Park work, and authorized capital outlay notes for equipment purchases once purchase prices are finalized.
Sewer code update: By voice and roll call the board took a first reading of a 73-page ordinance replacing Title 13, Chapter 2 (sewer and wastewater) of the municipal code to align local limits and industrial discharge rules with changing EPA and TDEC requirements; staff said the rewrite will allow the town to adopt future local limits more efficiently.
Local improvements and fees: The board approved a cooperative plan to put streetlights where Anderson Road poses safety risks to residents, adopted a modest $5 annual increase in nonresident senior-center membership fees (in-town remains $20; Washington County rate increases from $30 to $35; out-of-county from $40 to $45), and authorized adding a privately funded wall-art wrap for the board chamber (estimated cost ~$2,600) to the agenda and for funding via local donations.
Votes: Multiple items were adopted by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. For items requiring later action (e.g., sewer-code final reading, park purchase closing), staff were authorized to negotiate final terms and return to council as needed.
What’s next: The planning commission continues work on the data-center/cryptocurrency zoning ordinance referenced during public comment, and staff will report back on park closing negotiations and final contract language for the LPRF grant services.
