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Residents split over proposed tax increase to fund aquatic center; speakers urge caution and support
Summary
Public commenters on ordinance 49-51-26 gave contrasting views: Tricia Parade urged slowing a proposed $37 million aquatic center investment to avoid taxpayer burden, while Coach Chris Coraggio urged passing the tax plan to fund amenities, saying sale of city assets could still support projects.
Public comment on ordinance 49-51-26 brought opposing perspectives about the proposed tax plan and funding for a new aquatic center.
Resident Tricia Parade urged the commission to "slow down on the decision to invest $37,000,000 in a brand new asset that will permanently burden tax paying citizens," arguing that the city already faces multiple obligations (she cited a JCDA TIF item she characterized as a $2,000,000 obligation plus $500,000 in carrying costs) and noted Johnson City's median household income as a reason to be cautious.
Scott Albright, another resident, described household pressures and detailed an estimate of his personal impact: "So about $40 a month is what I'm gonna see hit my pocket directly from that." He warned tenants and small businesses could see rents and costs rise as property-tax increases are passed through.
By contrast, Coach Chris Coraggio urged the commission to respect prior budget decisions and pass the property-tax legislation to support the aquatic center. Coraggio said the legislation would not preclude pursuing public‑private partnerships or selling city assets like Freedom Hall to help fund amenities and named examples of local naming-rights deals.
The commission did not reverse course on the ordinance at this meeting; the tax-rate item and related motions proceeded to second reading and votes during the agenda.
