Johnson City passes 28-cent property tax increase

A 28-cent city property tax increase made it through the final round of voting with the Johnson City commission's 4–1 approval of the city's fiscal 2027 budget Thursday night. Commissioner Whitney Goetz was the lone board member who voted against the proposed budget, following her failed motion to amend it to slash 8 cents of the increase allocated for a new aquatics center. "I understand the vision and the intent and the value that recreation brings to a community," Goetz said of the aquatics facility ahead of the budget vote. "But I've also heard from residents about affordability and individuals that are struggling. And for me, at this point, while I support concepts, I just think it's not the right time." Vice Mayor Jenny Brock was the first on the board to voice her support of the budget as-is. "If we want more than a dollar-thirty-seven services, we have to create the opportunity to up our game — and it's going to take resources," said Brock, in reference to Johnson City's current $1.37 tax rate for property in Washington County. "So at some time, we have to adjust the property taxes." The last time the city raised its property tax rate was in 2023, and before that, in 2016. The latest property tax hike covers the cost of $8.8 million in additions to city staff's base budget. A breakdown the additional expenses are as follows, according to information from previous budget presentations: First-year debt service for a full aquatics facility buildout – $2.815 million Four-member concrete crew and equipment – $1 million Contribution to city's stabilization or "rainy day" fund – $1 million Post office demolition – $800,000 Various vehicles and equipment (mowers, scissor lift and trailer, trucks, salt equipment, etc.) – $693,000 Supplemental funding for paving – $500,000 City Hall cooling tower – $450,000 Three-member downtown maintenance crew and equipment – $430,000 Permitting software and customer service training – $375,000 James Ellis Sports Complex restrooms – $250,000 Lower Tannery Knobs infrastructural additions – $175,000 Market pay adjustments for CDL-licensed employees – $146,000 Citywide gateway signage – $144,000 City Hall directional signage – $48,500 Downtown wayfinding – $26,000 With the commission's approval, the city's fiscal 2027 budget will go into effect on July 1.