Kingsport BMA approves system upgrades, updated building codes

KINGSPORT — The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Tuesday, approving resolutions to update outdated systems used by the city, a zoning ordinance and adopt newer building codes. The city of Kingsport's current Enterprise Resource Planning system has been in place since 1989 and is also used by Kingsport City Schools. It was determined during the city's evaluation process that the Financial Information Systems and Human Capital Management would need to be separated to allow each system to meet the specific needs of respective departments. In-depth presentations on the need to update these systems were given at the Kingsport BMA work session on Monday. "In the course of any local government organization, there comes a time when you need to make a transition from your financial backbone software into something new," Kingsport City Manager Christ McCartt said during the meeting. "I think, as Travis [Bishop] discussed last night, as well as Tyra [Copas], we have been delaying this for some time, and appreciate the work that has been done to put us in a position now to move forward with it." The BMA approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into an agreement with Tyler Technologies for a new Financial Information System. This would carry an initial price tag of more than $1.5 million — with an annual Software as a Service fee of $536,340 funded through the city's annual operating budget and a one-time $1,022,124 implementation fee to be funded through a bond issuance in the spring. Implementation is expected to take 24 months, according to the agenda action form. Kingsport Chief Financial Officer Travis Bishop said the city is currently evaluating proposals for a third party implementer, which would bring on additional expenses and later be approved by the board. Another resolution approved the city to enter into an agreement with UKG Kronos Systems LLC to replace and modernize the city's currently legacy HR and payroll technology. Information included in the meeting agenda packet states the overall cost would start at $877,742.50 — with an annual platform cost of $580,725 followed by a $297,017.50 one-time implementation fee. Similar to the FIS framework, the annual cost will be funded through the annual operating budget, with costs offset as existing systems are retired. The implementation fee will be funded through bond issuance money in the spring and is billed each quarter. "I stated this last night, I've stated it probably for the last five years: we as a city have got to spend more in technology," McCartt said. "You all have answered that bell and stepped up each year to make sure that we are getting the necessary dollars in the right place." Tyra Copas, the human resources director for the city, emphasized that both the FIS and HCM systems are at least 15+ years overdue for an update. The implementation for this platform is expected to take 12 to 18 months, according to the agenda action form, and will run parallel to the previously mentioned FIS project. Project Inlet The BMA also approved on final reading a zoning ordinance for the annexation of 1.7 acres into the city limits. This will allow Project Inlet to proceed with their Master Plan approved at the July 16 Kingsport Regional Planning Commission meeting. The 1.7 acre of annexed land is planned to be combined with the larger, adjacent 41.41 acre parcel, according to the ordinance's agenda action form. The project involves property along Airport Parkway that NETWORKS purchased from KEDB in 2024 for $697,000. Water service currently runs along Airport Parkway and sewer will be serviced to the site in the future via a lift station, according to agenda documents. NETWORKS CEO Clay Walker told the Kingsport Economic Development Board at the August meeting that Project Inlet would bring a total of around 200 jobs and "a very nice investment." Building codes Kingsport BMA approved an ordinance to adopt new building, fire, accessibility and property maintenance code for the city. The state requires local government's building construction safety code publications to be within seven years of the latest editions published. Kingsport, along with many other building officials from the region, have decided to adopt the 2024 ICC code to have a more cohesive approach throughout the region. Alderman James Phillips noted that this is likely the first time ever that multiple municipalities in the region have come together to operate from the same codebook. Kingsport Assistant City Manager Jessica Harmon said Johnson City, Bristol, Elizabethton, Sullivan County, Washington County, Greene County, Jonesborough and Kingsport are all among those who have adopted the 2024 ICC code.