City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING June 24,2025 CALL TO ORDER: The City of Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Mark Hutton on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Slater Center Auditorium. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Mark Hutton, Vice Mayor Vince Turner, Councilwoman Rae Akard, and Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend. Others Present: City Manager Kelli Bourgeois, City Attorney Danielle Smith, City Recorder Mary Lee Williams, Director of General Services Russell Whitaker, Director of Economic Development Tom Anderson, Police Chief Matt Austin, Director of Finance Hollie Verran, Director of Community Relations Jon Luttrell, Legal Intern Elijah Decker, Director of Parks and Recreation Mike Mains, IT Network Technician Nick Fugate, Accounting and Budget Manager Sheridan Perumal, and other members of City staff. Mayor Mark Hutton explained this called meeting is to focus on the first reading of new Ordinance 25- 15 which is an ordinance to adopt the annual budget and tax rate for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 ending, June 30, 2026. During the ordinances and resolutions of the evening, the public will have opportunity to speak specifically to the first reading of that ordinance. During the appearance of citizens, that section is designed for someone to speak on any matter not on the formal agenda. If you would like to speak during the appearance of citizens about something that is not on the formal agenda, you are welcome to do so. The sign-up sheet is for the appearance of citizens. During the ordinance and resolutions portion there will be an opportunity to speak specifically about the tax rate and the budget. If you are on this sign-up sheet and what you want to speak about is on the agenda tonight, just simply say, you reserve your comments until later. APPEARANCE OF CITIZENS: Norman Cook, 605 Vance Drive, wanted to voice his concerns about the new city tax rate proposal. He stated this will be the second year in a row the taxes have been increased and the third year in a row the water and sewer bills have been increased. He asked if Council has considered the hardship that this will place on a lot of the citizens due to low income and other necessities such as food and medicines. He expressed concern that there are things in this budget that are not really necessary and due to the increasing taxes fewer people move in and more people move out, including businesses. Who will be left to pay the debt service that's been incurred? Council has the decision as to how they want to be remembered. Mayor Hutton reiterated this segment is the appearance of citizens for anything that is not on the formal agenda. The opportunity for the tax rate is in the next section.