2026 6 16 PACKET Regular Session Council

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ATHENS CITY COUNCIL  
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION  
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 
 
 
 
 
Page 4 of 5 
 
E. Proposal from Gresham Smith Engineers to Design and Prepare Construction Documents to 
Complete the Sidewalk Loop Around McMinn County High School 
 
A motion to approve the proposal was made by  Vice Mayor Curtis and seconded by 
Councilmember Duggan. 
 
APPROVED 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
 
F.    Recreation Advisory Board Appointments for Three Expiring Terms  
 
A motion was made to reappoint Ron Starr, reappoint Larry Rhodes, and appoint Addison 
Butler with their terms expiring in June 2030  by Vice Mayor Curtis  and seconded by 
Councilmember McCowan. 
 
APPROVED 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
G. Amendments to Ordinance 1158. 
 
A motion was made by Mayor Eaton and seconded by Councilmember Sherlin to make the 
following amendments to Ordinance 1158, the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2026-
2027: 
1. Reduce Fleet fund transfer by 10%. 
2. Reduce all outside agencies by 10%. 
3. Reduce transfer from General Fund to Debt Service Fund by $100,000. 
4. Remove $16,000 in expenses for the soap box derby program. 
5. Remove $16,800 in expenses for all auto allowances. 
6. Remove $60,000 salary for Stormwater Engineer.  
7. Remove $11,000 furniture expenses for Stormwater Engineer. 
8. Add $230,000 in expenses for salary and benefits for three new firefighters. 
9. Approve changes to the fee schedules for Parks and Recreation program and event fees, 
park fees, and Police Department city-requested towing fees.   
 
APPROVED 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
 
H. Request permission to post bids before July 1, 2026 for some fiscal year 2026-2027 projects.  
 
A motion to allow bids to be posted before July 1, 2026 was made by Councilmember Duggan 
and seconded by Vice Mayor Curtis.  
 
APPROVED 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
 
I. First Reading of Ordinance 1158, an Ordinance to Adopt a Budget and Set the Tax Rate on 
Taxable Property Located Within the Corporate Limits of the City of Athens, Tennessee, for 
the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 Through June 30, 2027. 
 
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