Budget meeting schedule approved

At least 11 meetings and workshops will take place over the next four months as the Town of Mountain City pieces together its 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The Mountain City Board of Aldermen and Mayor approved the meeting/workshop schedule at its Feb. 3 meeting. Mountain City Recorder Audra Gerty said there are fewer meetings than last year, based on aldermen's feedback from last year. Town of Mountain City 2026-67 Budget workshop and meeting schedule Thursday, Feb. 19, 5:30 p.m., review status of water/sewer projects and grants, discuss water meter replacement plan and review dash flow forecast. Tuesday, March 3, 4:30 p.m., city free schedule. Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. Thursday, March 12, 5:30 p.m., requests from non-profits, department presentations for special budget requests or changes to regular items, review capital. Tuesday, April 7, 4:30 p.m., improvement plan, review draft pay schedule for 2025-26. Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. Tuesday, May 5, 4:30 p.m., 2026-27 budget presentation. Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting. Thursday, May 14, 5:30 p.m., budget and general workshop. Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m., regular meeting, first reading of the 2026-27 budget. Tuesday, June 23, 9:30 a.m., public hearing and second reading of the 2026-27 budget Other news from Feb. 3 Project Coordinator Chris Hook said the new AMI meters in the Cold Springs Utility district are paying off and would like to get AMI meters for the entire system in the next budget year. The council approved $12,000 to go toward fluoride costs for the Cold Springs utility district. There's one more part that will push the total toward $15,000, which will need to be covered by a budget amendment. Hook later said the retaining wall on Sunset Drive is mostly done and that the company sent the wrong landscaping blocks to finish. The council approved a $238,168 bid for the Sink Valley Road waterline extension. There were five bids total. Iron Mountain Construction was the lowest bidder. Before approving a work amendment from Cannon and Cannon for $29,830 to pay for an additional waterline survey and development of easement documents for the town's Helene water and sewer line projects, Vice Mayor Celeste Dunn voiced her frustrations with the company. Dunn wondered why this amendment was coming in after they paid for the original contract. Gerty and others said this was due to not knowing the scope of work, due to not having that information. The budget amendment passed unanimously. The town hopes that TEMA will reimburse them for the project. At the start of the meeting, the board approved Johnson County Little League's use of the town's two ball fields for play this spring and summer.