Johnson City residents are facing a proposed 28-cent property tax increase as part of the FY2027 budget. This would raise the tax rate to $1.66 per $100 of assessed value which is a 20% tax increase. Much of this hike would fund debt service on a new $37 million aquatic center (total cost including 20-year bond interest: approximately $55 million) to be built on the Memorial Park Community Center campus.

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-27-budget-would-fund-37m-aquatic-center-up-taxes-by-20/

While the city completed a feasibility study and community survey showing some support for expanded aquatics, we believe this is the wrong priority at the wrong time. We would like to see the information on historical numbers for attendance at the existing facilities and current operating costs of the Kingsport facility to decide if such a big ticket item is needed  at this time when there are  infrastructure issues that need addressing as our community is growing .

Just over a year ago, Johnson City agreed to a $28 million settlement (one of the largest in city history) in the class-action lawsuit involving allegations that police failed to properly investigate sexual assaults linked to convicted offender Sean Williams. That payout—covered partly by insurance and mostly by city funds—already placed a significant burden on taxpayers.

We are concerned that:

Taxpayers should not bear another major increase while the city is still recovering from the recent settlement and other obligations.

Essential services (public safety, infrastructure repairs, road maintenance, and core city needs) must come before a large new recreational facility.

The chosen location at Memorial Park (510 Bert Street) raises questions about long-term viability and neighborhood impact for some residents.

Freedom Hall Pool — more centrally located in Johnson City as opposed to the downtown Memorial Park site — could be repaired and upgraded for approximately $771,000–$848,000 (including contingency) according to recent city estimates, a tiny fraction of the $55 million new project.

Residents already have convenient access to a modern aquatic center in nearby Kingsport , which features an indoor Olympic-style pool plus a full outdoor water park with slides, lazy river, and other amenities.

Long-established local facilities like Wetlands Water Park in Jonesborough have served the Tri-Cities area for decades as a successful local business and continue to invest in their own improvements and upgrades — proving that private-sector and lower-cost options already meet community recreational needs without new taxpayer-funded mega-projects.

The commissioners reached verbal consensus on this budget direction on May 14-15, 2026.  A formal public hearing is scheduled for June 4, 2026, with second and third readings on June 11 and June 25. We urge the Johnson City Board of Commissioners to remove the aquatic center funding and the associated tax increase from the budget. Focus instead on fiscal responsibility, protecting homeowners (especially seniors and fixed-income families), and addressing more urgent community needs.

Sign this petition and contact the decision-makers below to make your voice heard. Together we can push for smarter spending that truly serves all of Johnson City.

Decision Makers to Contact

(You may Email or call them directly)

Mayor Greg Cox

Phone: 423-930-5716

Email: gcox@johnsoncitytn.org

Vice-Mayor Jenny Brock

Phone: 423-791-1262

Email: jbrock@johnsoncitytn.org

Commissioner Todd Fowler

Phone: 423-444-1352

Email: tfowler@johnsoncitytn.org

Commissioner Whitney Goetz

Email: wgoetz@johnsoncitytn.org

Commissioner Joe Wise

Phone: 423-434-5797

Email: jwise@johnsoncitytn.org

Group email for the full Commission: commission@johnsoncitytn.org

Public Meetings

Johnson City Board of Commissioners meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.

Attend the upcoming public hearing on June 4, 2026, or submit public comments to:

public comment@johnsoncitytn.org 

or by calling 423-434-6002.