2025 - A Year in Review

City of Johnson City: A Year in Review Board of Commissioners Meeting – December 18, 2025 Cathy D. Ball, City Manager

Our Strategic Goals

Strategic Goals •

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City staff’s efforts continue to revolve around the Commission’s Strategic Plan’s four goals: • Economic Vitality • Quality of Place • Future Ready Infrastructure • Excellence in Government The City championed many projects in 2025, each with the goal of enriching the quality of life in Johnson City.

Economic Vitality in 2025

Burlington Mills • $240 million residential and retail development project • 34-acre development to support 1,049 residential units and 100,000 sq. feet of retail • Expected $103.3 million economic impact • Estimated 730 jobs supported • Estimated $1.3 million in annual direct sales tax • Estimated $1.6 million in annual indirect property and sales tax

John Sevier Center • In coordination with the Johnson City Development Authority, the City has moved almost all residents of the JSC to the new 145-apartment complex Tapestry at Roan Hill • JCDA and Visit Johnson City Foundation raised just over $13,000 to provide residents new household items • Lansing Melbourne Group selected to redevelop JSC with plans to invest more than $66 million to introduce retail, dining and a 136-room hotel to the space

Ashe St. Courthouse • Commission approved five-year lease with ETSU in July • Annual lease will allow ETSU to house Department of Art & Design, Reece Museum, Appalachian Studies and Entrepreneurship Center in the revitalized building • Another step in joint community and economic development with ETSU

West Walnut Street • The ribbon was cut on West Walnut Street in October, after 4 years of construction • $41 million investment, delivering on goals of pedestrian-friendly streetscape, traffic-calming features, and modern water/sewer and stormwater systems • Fully realizing the goal of connecting ETSU to downtown Johnson City

Quality of Place in 2025

Lower Tannery Knobs • Commission accepted conveyance of about 10 acres on the south side of Tannery to construct the Rotary Club children’s bicycle playground • City has begun work to build a road into lower Tannery and provide a pavilion, restrooms, lighting and security cameras • The work will expand the area’s mountain biking opportunities for citizens of all ages

Safe City Project • Initiative with Flock Group, Inc. to enhance our investigative operations • Partnership provides 145 license plate recognition devices, 145 pan/tilt/zoom cameras, gunshot detection capabilities, two mobile security trailers and Real Time Crime Center software • 58 license plate devices have been installed, assisting with 31 investigations so far • Flock data has already helped recover an estimated $200,000 in stolen property • Launched Safe City webpage for citizens to stay updated on success stories, policies and FAQs

Alcohol Sales Hours • Ordinance 4925-25 stops on-premise alcohol sales at 1 a.m., a change from the prior 3 a.m.

• Part of effort to maintain public safety downtown and across the city • 80% of community survey respondents felt limiting alcohol sales would have positive impact on decreasing disturbances and law enforcement issues Offense

9/5/24 – 11/4/24 Reports

9/5/25 – 11/4/25 Reports

Percent Change 2024 vs 2025 Reports City-Wide

Aggravated Assault

10 (5 downtown)

4 (2 downtown)

60%

Simple Assault

9 (4 downtown)

14 (6 downtown)

55.6%

Disorderly Conduct

9 (8 downtown)

2 (both downtown)

77.78%

Drunkenness

30 (21 downtown)

12 (7 downtown)

60%

Drug-Related Violation

19 (11 downtown)

12 (5 downtown)

36.84%

Weapon Violation

7 (3 downtown)

3 (2 downtown)

57.14%

DUI

19 (10 downtown)

11 (5 downtown)

42.11%

Horizon 2045 • Commission officially adopted the Horizon 2045 Growth Management Plan after a nearly three-year process • Collected 20,000+ data points, 850+ written comments, 7,000+ website views and had 1,900+ touchpoints over the 900+ hours of work put into this initiative • This plan will guide our work in supporting quality growth, building a prosperous economy, expanding a first-class education system and developing strong neighborhoods over the next 20 years

West King Street Bark Park • Investment in quality of life for community members, both fur and human • $136,815 construction project • $200,000 donated to the project ($100,000 from Boyd Foundation, $100,000 from donors) • The remaining funds were donated to the Parks & Rec Foundation to develop a maintenance fund for the park • Planning for project began in 2023, construction began in May 2025 and the grand opening was held in August 2025 • 334 dogs registered to use the park, to date

Metro-Kiwanis Park Rebuild • Full-scale transformation of the park with 5 refurbished tennis courts, 8 new pickleball courts and improved drainage • $563,000+ project to renovate the 53-year-old park • Project began in July 2024 and completed in June 2025

Noise & Vibration Study • Commission placed a one-year moratorium on any land use applications and building permits for new construction in the I-2 zoning district • Requested a study be conducted on the health, noise and vibration impacts of data centers • Formed a study committee with staff, City management and citizen representation • Committee has selected a consultant to lead the study • Working on the scope of services • Beginning study in winter of 2026

Downtown Parking Study • Launched in January to study and address the need for parking in downtown and guide strategies for traffic circulation improvements • Ongoing project with staff, downtown stakeholders and consultants TSW and Mattern & Craig • Held two days of stakeholder interviews, two pop-up booths at downtown events, and one public input meeting • Conducted experimental on-street parking solution on W. State of Franklin Road during Main St. Days event

Future Ready Infrastructure in 2025

Iris Glen • Extends lifespan of landfill by an estimated 40 years • Initial approval received from Regional Solid Waste Board in May 2025 • Part 1 of TDEC application targeted for April/May 2026 • TDEC approval targeted for fall/winter 2027

Towne Acres • Broke ground in November, marking the official start to an almost decade-long dream • The 110,000-square-foot school, scheduled to open in 2027, will accommodate 750 students and staff with modernized classrooms, offices, dining areas and outdoor spaces • The $45 million project will replace a 50-year-old building with a state-of-the-art facility with enhanced security, HVAC and traffic features

Knob Creek Improvement Project • West Oakland (Phase 1 of 4) now substantially complete • Widened road to three lanes to include a turning lane, as well as a new bridge near Marketplace Blvd • Eases traffic congestion, improves roadway safety and reduces limited sight distance

Cherokee Stormwater Area • Work began in September for this stormwater basin to double as a retention pond and a recreational park space • Featuring seating, greenspace and a sculptural fountain in the pond • Funded by $3 million TDEC grant with City’s matching requirement waived due to Hurricane Helene

JCBuilds • Ongoing initiative to reduce barriers to successful building and development in Johnson City • Fully explored our processes and policies to identify key areas for improvement • Engaged over 100 building/developing companies at 6 Advisory Task Force meetings and 5 roundtables with community stakeholders

Excellence in Government in 2025

Commission Chambers Renovation • $2.2 million renovation of a space that had not been upgraded since original construction in 1970 • Brought new features of enhanced security, improved hearing and visual aids, extra and modernized seating, upgraded technology and better accessibility for all citizens • Now able to seat 125 people in one room without a dividing wall

Transition of the JCDA • Fully absorbed Johnson City Development Authority administrative operations in July • Realigned City’s economic development goals to now have all parties working in tandem • Continuing to work with JCDA board to oversee façade grants, TIF funding and redevelopment of the John Sevier Center

Fire Training Center • Broke ground in September 2023 and celebrated official opening in October 2025 • Provides enhanced training experiences for JCFD firefighters and rural county volunteer fire departments • Equipped with workrooms, classrooms, showers, dressing rooms and covered training area • Will also include four-story hands-on training structure

Fiscal Responsibility • Received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for our budget preparation, documentation and transparency for FY2024-25. This was the second consecutive year we received this award, and it is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting • Received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY24 annual financial report, the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting • Retained Moody’s Aa2 rating, the third highest rating possible. This reflects manageable debt levels, an expanding tax base and disciplined financial oversight and practices

Looking Ahead to 2026

In 2026…

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Buffalo Mountain Park State Natural Area designation • Expect to attain the State Natural Area designation to add long-term protection for the park’s plant and animal life First Frontier Trail • Funded by $5 million investment from Governor Lee, our goal is to complete the Johnson City side of the trail to Jonesborough by Nov. 2026 City Naming Policy • Developing official, uniformed policy for naming City-owned parks, buildings and facilities West Mountainview Road • Widening road to three lanes with turning lane in the center, as well as a new connecting intersection with Knob Creek Road to ease congestion

In 2026…

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Knob Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant Improvements • Project out to bid in 2026 Black Heritage Walking Trail • Funded by over $100,000 in grants, this trail will honor the Black history in Johnson City through construction of the trail and development of signage, digital promotion and historical resources 420 Ashe Street • Development of 420 Ashe Street (old Copynet property)

Questions?