Something sweet in store
Join Main Street Director
Lindsey Jones and Special Events Manager Sara DelBene Feb. 1ā15 for the inaugural Sweetsie Trail in Downtown Johnson City. Follow a trail of candy hearts throughout the district to discover Valentineās-themed coffee, cocktails, and confections at participating businesses.
To take part, register to receive a digital passport and check in at each stop along the trail. Participating
locations will be marked with a candy heart at the entrance. Participants who complete 10 or more check-ins during the event period will be entered into a giveaway.
āThe Sweetsie Trail is a fun way to celebrate Valentineās season while supporting our local downtown businesses,ā said Sara. āIt gives people a reason to explore, try something new, and enjoy a little sweetness along the way.ā
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Featured items are available for purchase, and the trail can be completed at any time during normal business hours. The event is open to all ages, with select cocktail offerings available for those 21 and older.
Business participating are listed below.
ā¢ Atlantic Ale House
ā¢ Blue Brews Coffee Co.
ā¢ BURGār & BARREL
ā¢ Dos Gatos
ā¢ Fearless Coffee Shop
ā¢ Groovy Grovers
ā¢ Jeremiah Cafe
ā¢ Johnson City Brewing Company
ā¢ Little Magic
ā¢ Mulliganās Irish Pub
ā¢ Numanās Cafe & Sports Bar
ā¢ Spring Street Sandwich Co.
ā¢ Stogie Mountain Cigar Lounge
ā¢ The Feisty Pigeon
ā¢ The Philosopherās House
ā¢ The Twisted Fork
ā¢ The Well Coffee Shop
ā¢ Vino Noir
Register to participate by clicking below or visit downtownjctn.com/sweetsietrail.
Post OSHA form soon
Risk Management will distribute OSHA Form 300A, which must be posted in each department from Feb. 1 through April 30. The form should be placed in a conspicuous location where employee notices are typically posted. Employers must ensure the summary is not altered, defaced, or covered by other materials. The form must be removed from bulletin boards on May 1.
Human Resources update
At the back of this Newslink, you will find information regarding the 2026 Wellness Program. Completed forms must be submitted to Human Resources no later than Nov. 30, in order to maintain the discounted health insurance premium.
Last year, more employees than ever used the Employee Health Clinic (EHC). As the submission
deadline approached, appointment availability became increasingly limited. Employees are encouraged to plan ahead and schedule their wellness exams early to avoid delays.
Employees who choose to use the EHC must call to schedule an appointment. The clinic can be reached at 423.431.7340.
New email for accident reports
Risk Management would like to inform staff of a new City email address for all accident and incident reporting. Effective immediately, please send all accident and incident reports to accident@ johnsoncitytn.org.
To ensure consistent reporting, messages sent to this address will be shared with both Risk Management and Human Resources, reducing duplication in the reporting process.
January 2026
Community Roundtable expands initiative
Building on the strong turnout and positive feedback from Decemberās Community Roundtable, the Johnson City Police Department will expand the initiative in 2026 by hosting
these meetings throughout the community.
āThe come-and-go setting, with no formal agenda, provides residents the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and connect directly with members of the JCPD,ā said Chief Eric Dougherty. āOur December gathering provided meaningful insight into how we can better serve our community, and we want those conversations to continue.ā
The next Community Roundtable will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at Jeremiah CafƩ, 603 W. Walnut St., from 8:30-10 a.m. We invite you to join JCPD leadership for coffee and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
Community Roundtable meetings for 2026 are scheduled for April 9, June 11, Aug. 13, Oct. 8, and Dec. 10 from 8:30-10 a.m. Meeting locations will be announced at a later date.
Risk Management offers training opportunities
Employees are reminded that there are two upcoming opportunities to participate in First Aid, CPR, and AED training classes. These sessions provide essential, hands-on instruction and are recommended for employees who have not yet completed the training or who need a refresher.
The classes will be held on Feb. 17 and Mar. 17, both from 9 a.m. to noon. Due to unforeseen circumstances, all Thursday classes have been canceled for the remainder of the season, making these the final opportunities to participate.
Employees who need or
would like to attend should sign up for one of the remaining dates as soon as possible. To register or for additional information, contact Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator Jimmy Baisden at 423.483.3705 or email jbaisden@johnsoncitytn.org.
January 2026
New engine possible thanks to generous gift
A new fire engine is now serving the City of Johnson City. On Jan. 22, the Johnson City Fire Department held a push-in ceremony at Station 5, 205 Broyles Drive, to officially place Engine 5 into service.
The push-in ceremony pays tribute to the fire serviceās history, dating back to the era of horse-drawn apparatus. Because horses were unable to back the equipment into fire stations, firefighters pushed the apparatus into place.
Engine 5 is a 2025 Pierce Saber Custom
Pumper equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank and a pump capable of delivering 1,500 gallons of water per minute.
The engine features six preconnected hose lines, a 500-gallon-per-minute quick-attack monitor, and a portable deck gun with water flow of up to 1,250 gallons per minute. Enhanced safety features include LED emergency lighting and scene lighting to improve visibility during emergency operations.
Engine 5, which cost just over $1 million, was made possible through the generosity of Johnson City resident Carol Lawler. Lawlerās gift of $1,023,500 also covered the cost of essential equipment for the new engine.
āThe Johnson City Fire Department cannot thank Ms. Lawler enough,ā said
Chief David Bell. āThis new engine will directly enhance our ability to protect lives and property for decades to come. We are profoundly grateful to Ms. Lawler for standing alongside the Johnson City Fire Department and helping us continue to serve at the highest level.ā
Lawler, accompanied by family and friends, took part in the push-in ceremony.
āIt is an honor to support the Johnson City Fire Department and the men and women who serve so selflessly every day,ā she said. āI am grateful for the
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January 2026
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opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me. I consider my contribution an investment in public safety.ā
As a lasting expression of gratitude to Lawler and her family, the JCFD affixed commemorative plaques to both sides of Engine 5 honoring them for their generosity and dedication to public safety.
Thank you, Carol Lawler.
Senior Center hosting pet food drive
The Johnson City Senior Center has added a new component to this yearās Spring Forward for Seniors food distribution ā a pet food drive.
The Senior Center is accepting pet food donations through Feb. 20 at Memorial Park
Community Center, 510 Bert St.
āWeāre really excited about this new addition to our Spring Forward for Seniors food drive,ā said Recreation Services Manager Rachel Evans. āA lot of the seniors who come to us for food assistance also have pets at
home. This is a great way to help care for our seniors and their four-legged friends.ā
Memorial Park Community Center is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 423.434.6237.
Rising leaders among newest JCLA class
The City is welcoming a new class of participants as the Johnson City Leadership Academy (JCLA) begins its next program cycle. The newest JCLA participants are beginning a five-month program designed to cultivate leadership skills through interactive learning. Participants will meet weekly for five to eight hours and receive instruction from department leaders throughout the organization, providing broad exposure to City operations and leadership perspectives.
Participation in JCLA is open to employees who self-apply as well as those nominated by supervisors. Each cohort is selected through a formal application process and reviewed by an internal Applicant Review Team. The City looks forward to the contributions and growth of this newest class as they begin their leadership journey.
The newest participants are:
Leigh Ann Fama, graphic design specialist, Communications and Engagement
Allen Lark, radio services manager, Fleet Management
Marina Arbuckle, firefighter, Fire
Corey Parsons, center supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Danny Arnett, park maintenance supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Josh Collins, trail operations manager, Parks and Recreation
Shane Malone, sergeant, Police
Todd Moddy, sergeant, Police
Kevin Collette, police officer, Police
Reece Westmoreland, design and construction coordinator, Public Works
Tony Haynes, general supervisor, Public Works
Jimmy Baisden, occupational health and safety coordinator, Risk Management
Benji Whitehead, water and wastewater operations manager, Water and Sewer Services
Jolene Stallard, customer service supervisor, Water and Sewer Services
Jared Carlson, assistant water and wastewater superintendent, Water and Sewer Services
Sheri Keenan, paralegal, Legal
K9s Blitz, Duchess newest JCPD support
The Johnson City Police Department is excited to announce the addition of two new K9s, further strengthening the JCPDās ability to serve the community.
K9 Blitz and K9 Duchess have completed an extensive five-week training course and have the proper certifications for duty. They will continue ongoing training to ensure they meet the highest standards for performance, discipline, and reliability. These highly trained K9s will assist officers in the areas of narcotics (cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine) detection, suspect apprehension, tracking, and article and building searches.
āThe addition of these K9s strengthens our departmentās ability to protect the community and support our officers in the field,ā said JCPD Chief Eric Dougherty. āThey provide an additional layer of safety for both our officers and the public. Their training and capabilities are invaluable to modern policing.ā
K9 Blitz is a 19-month-old Belgian Malinois. His handler is Sgt. Mark Ragan, who also serves as the officer in charge of the K9 Unit. K9 Duchess is a 1-year-old Dutch Shepherd. Her handler is Officer Dakota Couch. Each K9 and their training costs $16,500, paid for by the JCPD Drug Fund, which is revenue generated from drug crime seizures.
K9 Blitz
K9 Duchess
Hands-only CPR training offered this February
The Johnson City Fire Department (JCFD) is now accepting registrations for its next handsonly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course, scheduled for Feb. 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the JCFD Training Facility, 2832 W. Walnut St.
The quarterly training is part of the departmentās ongoing commitment to public safety and was
developed in response to valuable feedback from the community. The free class provides residents with the chance to learn essential life-saving skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Participants will train on high-tech Brayden CPR manikins, which use animated LED lights to provide real-time feedback on compression quality and
blood circulation.
In addition to hands-only CPR, the class also covers fire safety, including proper extinguisher use. A digital flame simulator paired with a laser training extinguisher offers a realistic, risk-free learning experience.
āWe encourage everyone to take advantage of this free, quarterly training,ā said JCFD Chief David Bell. āHands-only CPR is simple, effective, and something anyone can do. It is a powerful tool to make a real difference in an emergency.ā
For information call 423.975.2840, or register by clicking below or visit johnsoncitytn.org/ handsonlycprclass.
Daddy Daughter Dance: Fixinā to be a good time
Grab your boots, cowboy hat, and dance the night away as the annual Johnson City Parks and Recreation Daddy Daughter Dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at Memorial Park Community Center. This yearās theme is āWestern Night Out.ā
āThe Daddy Daughter Dance is one of our bigger events, and weāre excited it kicks off our 2026 calendar,ā said
Community Engagement
Specialist David Compton.
āItās always an enjoyable evening. The ticket covers entry to the event, food, complimentary photo booth access, dancing, and prizes awarded during our danceoff competition. These spots tend to sell out quickly, so we recommend securing your tickets early.ā
Two dances will be held
from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per couple, with additional tickets available for $10 each. To purchase tickets, click the button below or visit johnsoncitytn.org/ daddydaughterdance.
For those with questions or additional information, call 423.283.5827 or email dcompton@johnsoncitytn. org.
Important W-2 delivery information
Finance would like to remind employees that 2025 W-2 forms are now available in Oracle. To access your W-2, log in to Oracle, click the āMeā menu, and select the W-2 icon from the list of available documents.
Overtime Information
Finance has received several questions regarding overtime calculations not appearing on W-2 forms. For the 2025 calendar year, the IRS allows employers to provide overtime premium amounts through a separate document. If you worked overtime during 2025, you will receive a letter identifying the amount of premium overtime earned. This information will not appear on your 2025 W-2.
Due to the law being adopted mid-year, our
software vendor was unable to update the W-2 format in time to include this information. These letters will be mailed to your home address.
Matching Your W-2 to Your Pay Information
Payroll and Human
Resources have received a high volume of calls, emails, and visits regarding W-2s and how they align with pay statements. As this is the first year employees are accessing W-2s through Oracle, please ensure you are selecting the correct document.
The correct form is titled ā2026-01-23 W-2.ā
The pay statement that matches the figures on your W-2 is dated 12/19/2025, which was the final paycheck issued in calendar
year 2025.
Requesting a Printed W-2
If you need a printed copy of your W-2, Finance can provide one on an asneeded basis. Please call (Payroll Specialist Jane Clark at 423.461.1630 or Accounting Technician Wendy Zona at 423.434.6038) or email (payroll@johnsoncitytn.org) ahead to confirm availability, as access to W-2 printing is limited. Be prepared to present a form of identification when picking up your printed W-2.
January 2026
Congratulations new hires, promotions, retirements
New Hires -
December
Nicholas Lingerfelt - Parks and Recreation
Philip Oler - Parks and Recreation
Wayne Lyles - Parks and Recreation
Daniel Roshak - Parks and Recreation
Margaret Goff - Parks and Recreation
Alexandra Torres - Parks and Recreation
James Linville - Water and Sewer Services
Austin Trent - Water and Sewer Services
Luke Abel - Police
William Russell - Police
Anthany Price - Public Works
Mary Hurney - Transit
Heath Martin - Planning
Nicholas Geis - Administration
Daniel Crumley - Public Works
Jonathan Dixon - Golf
Promotions - December
Johnathan Fleenor - Parks and Recreation
Retirements - December
Thomas Carter - Transit (35)
Thomas Witherspoon - Water and Sewer Services (44)
To: All Participants of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) Health Plan
From: Melanie Rice, HR Director
Date: January 5, 2026
RE: 2026 Wellness Program
Melanie Rice, Director Human Resources
City of Johnson City
601 E. Main St. Johnson City, TN 37601 423.434.6018 | JohnsonCityTN.org
Human Resources would like to share important information regarding participation in the 2026 Wellness Program and the continuation of the discounted health insurance premium beginning January 1, 2027.
Employees and covered spouses enrolled in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) health insurance plan who wish to participate in the Wellness Program voluntarily must complete the following requirements:
ā¢ Annual Preventive/Wellness Visit:
During calendar year 2026, the employee and any covered spouse must complete an annual preventive or wellness visit with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or the Employee Health Center. The attached 2026 Physician Screening Form must be taken to the appointment.
ā¢ Fire Department Employees: Fire Department employees may satisfy this requirement by completing the annual Fit for Duty physical. Covered spouses of Fire Department employees, as with all other covered spouses, must complete a standard wellness visit.
ā¢ Required Timeframe:
The wellness visit must occur on or after January 1, 2026, and no later than November 30, 2026.
ā¢ Premium Impact for Non-Participation:
Employees enrolled in the BCBST plan and their covered spouses who do not submit the completed Physician Screening Form will be subject to non-wellness premium rates from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
ā¢ Submission of Forms:
Please provide the Physician Screening Form to your PCP and request that it be completed and submitted via fax or email using the contact information listed on the form. Employees may also submit the completed form directly via email. Please note that completion of the visit is subject to verification with the provider.
Human Resources does not receive any specific medical or health information related to individual employees or covered spouses. If you have questions regarding the Wellness Program or the submission process, please contact Human Resources
2026 regular and discounted rates are outlined below:
