Johnson City commissioners chime in on potential budget changes

Following a second round of voting on the city's fiscal 2027 budget, Johnson City commissioners gave more insight into what's top-of-mind as they prepare for the third and final budget reading. Johnson City Mayor Greg Cox, who suggested during the second reading Thursday that the board explore potential budget changes, said Friday that he wants to "weigh all the options" before approving the budget. "I think there's always a chance to make sure to fine tune through the third and final reading," Cox said. "I think for me, I kind of wanted to hear the feedback that the community has for a reading or two before I even settle in on my thoughts and want to make any amendments or changes. I think that's really, for me, what the third reading is, is to just take everything I've heard and see if there's any changes that I want to try to propose or adjust." While he said there wasn't any specific changes he'd consider about the budget yet, Cox said he's keeping talks of potential state-level property tax caps in mind. "A big thing for me is just the possibility of a property tax increase cap," Cox said. "And so I think that probably plays the biggest role for me. Even entertaining a tax increase is to make sure we're at the proper baseline in case anything changes at the state level." Although it didn't make it through committees, a recent bill proposed in the 2026 Tennessee General Assembly would cap local government property tax increases to 2% annually, with some exceptions. Johnson City's fiscal 2027 budget proposes a 20% property tax increase. Commissioner Whitney Goetz said she'd consider budget amendments if proposed. "All that I can speak of is what is in front of us and if commissioners decide to offer amendments, I think I will take one into consideration and look at it as a whole," Goetz said. "But at this point, what has been in front of us is what I am reviewing and considering." Goetz added that she wants a budget that balances the community's future and current needs. "I take public service seriously," Goetz said. "I'm really looking for a final budget that balances the responsible investment that we need to make in our community, in our city's future, but also being sensitive to the financial pressures that are facing residents, and that's kind of where my mind is." In a column published in the Johnson City Press Friday, Commissioner Joe Wise justified the proposed 28-cent property increase, noting it primarily covers rising costs of equipment and core services. "The aquatic center represents 8 cents of the proposed 28-cent tax increase. Much of the remaining 20 cents is a direct result of the cost of providing core city services, particularly as those costs are impacted by inflation," Wise wrote. "These are not choices. They are the cost of maintaining the services our residents depend on every day. And despite these pressures, Johnson City currently has the lowest property tax rate among neighboring cities — a distinction that will remain true even if this budget is approved." Commissioners Todd Fowler and Jenny Brock did not respond to Six Rivers Media's request for comment by press time. The third and final reading of Johnson City's proposed fiscal 2027 budget will take place at City Hall, 601 E. Main St. at 6 p.m., June 25.