Jonesborough board adopts FY2026–27 budgets and approves sanitation, water measures; charter amendment passes

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Jonesborough voted to adopt the town's FY2026–27 budget package and related ordinances at its Aug. 4 meeting, approving an ordinance that sets the general fund and enterprise budgets and establishes the property tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

The board approved ordinance B2601, adopting a $15,600,000 general fund budget and a $12,100,000 water and sewer enterprise fund budget. In the discussion before the vote the presiding official framed the budgets in the context of major capital projects: a $41,000,000 water treatment plant under construction and a $16,800,000 transmission line to Persimmon Ridge. The presiding official also noted the town’s role supplying roughly 83% of rural-water customers in Washington County and underscored stewardship responsibilities tied to those services.

At the public hearing the board also considered ordinances B2602 and B2603. The chair and staff emphasized that neither sanitation fees nor water and sewer rates would increase under the presented ordinances. Alderman Jenkins moved approval of the sanitation ordinance on final reading; the board seconded the motion and adopted it on roll call.

Separately, the board voted to approve a charter amendment that shifts municipal elections from November to August and clarifies chain-of-command language in the town charter. Staff told the board the version before them ‘‘is what we asked for’’ and reminded members the change requires a two‑thirds vote; the board approved the amendment by roll call.

Votes at a glance - B2601 (annual budgets and property tax rate for FY2026–27): approved by roll call (motion and second recorded; roll-call approval recorded). - B2602 (sanitation fund fees, final reading): approved by roll call; no fee increases. - B2603 (water and sewer rates, final reading): presented; board reaffirmed no rate increases. - Charter amendment (move election date November→August; charter clarifications): approved by two‑thirds vote.

Why it matters The adopted budgets fund major capital work on the town’s water system and maintain current user fees while anchoring ongoing service to neighboring parts of Washington County. The charter change also alters the town’s election calendar, which will affect future candidate timelines and voter-facing schedules.

What’s next Staff will implement the budget and return any items that require further specification (for example, project plans and bids) for board approval in follow-up meetings. The transcript did not specify the exact property tax rate adopted; that figure was not stated in the meeting record provided.