Sullivan commission has first reading of no-property-tax increase budget

BLOUNTVILLE — The Sullivan County Commission read the fiscal 2026-27 budget with no vote Thursday night. They'll have a second reading and a vote on the no-property-tax-increase plan at a special called meeting starting 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30. That called meeting will follow a 3 p.m. public hearing and comment session on the budget. The budget of more than $110 million is covered in three resolutions: one setting a property tax rate, proposed to remain the same as 2025-26; a second to make appropriations to fund various departments, offices and agencies of county government; and a third appropriating not-for-profit funds to groups such as volunteer rescue squads and fire departments. The current tax rate is $1.61290 per $100 of assessed value, which is 25% for residential properties and 40% for commercial and industrial ones. The commission's Budget Committee recommended a no-property-tax-increase budget on Wednesday. Although, some members discussed doing some sort of increase so a much larger one won't have to occur this time next year. At least 11 new commissioners will join the commission Sept. 1 if all incumbents who made it through the May Republican primaries are reelected. The schools budget, including appropriations to Kingsport and Bristol systems, remains in limbo and has reverted basically back to the 2025-26 budget. At the end of June, the commission rejected a proposed $103 million school system budget, but budget officials have told the school board it can resubmit the budget with updated estimates of fund balance amounts to be used to balance it. The commission cannot have line-item veto on the school board-approved budget but has suggested the board reconsider and, among other things, not create four new assistant or associate principals at elementary schools. An undated email letter from the school board to Mayor Richard Venable, presented to the commission, estimates only $100.8 million available and outlined proposed cuts, requesting feedback on the matter as soon as possible. COMMISSION VOTES, DELAYS During voting action at the meeting, the 24-member commission voted 21-0 with three absent to approve an appropriation of $123,065.88 in occupancy tax collections for the fourth quarter of 2025-26. That vote came after a quarterly presentation from Explore Bristol Executive Director Matt Bolas about activities in tourism development across the county, including Visit Kingsport and the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. Commissioner Joyce Crosswhite of Blountville delayed the vote on her resolution appropriating up to $100,000 of the occupancy tax to fund repairs to county-owned historic structures until the August meeting. Structures that would be repaired included the Deery Inn, old County Courthouse and Anderson Townhouse. Commissioner Gary Stidham of Kingsport also delayed until the regular August meeting a resolution for a one-time funding of $50,000 for the Petworks animal services in Kingsport that serves non-city animals. The board approved a proclamation recognizing the Second Harvest Food Bank for its 40th anniversary this month. Later, Commissioner Cheryl Harvey delayed her motion to make a one-time appropriation of $50,000 to the 2026-27 budget to help provide meals for food insecurity students through Second Harvest's Food Backpack Program.