Johnson City names new planning director

Johnson City will soon have a new planning director overseeing its planning department, City Manager Cathy Ball announced Friday. Steve Neilson, former Johnson City development coordinator, will return to work for the city on Sept. 21 after a decade with the city of Morristown, according to a press release. "Steve is just what we need in this exciting period of growth," Ball said in a statement included in the press release. "He brings extensive experience in planning and community development to our organization, and he already has great relationships with our development community. We are fortunate to welcome him home." In Morristown, Neilson served as community development director, overseeing planning, building inspections, code enforcement, community development and other municipal functions. Neilson served as Johnson City's development coordinator from 1995 to 2016, according to the release. "Johnson City has many great things happening now, so it is very exciting to come back in a professional capacity," Neilson said in a statement included in the press release. "This city has remained my home, so I am still very involved in our community. I am grateful to City Manager Ball for the opportunity to return and look forward to working with the planning team." Neilson holds a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration, and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from Florida State University. In 2001, he earned a master of city management degree from East Tennessee State University. In 2012, Neilson was awarded the Tennessee Distinguished Planner Award and received recognition from the Tennessee Planning Leadership Council, according to the release. The announcement of a new planning director follows back-to-back resignations of half of the city's planning division, including the planning manager. The city began its search for a new head of planning in August. Neilson will be a salaried city employee, a city spokesperson confirmed.