Jonesborough’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and administrative contracts during its regular meeting, including changes to wastewater tap fees, the rezoning of a parcel to a planned residential district, agreement on grant financing for the new water treatment plant, and a two-year moratorium on new data processing centers in town limits.

The board took formal action on a series of items that were discussed briefly at the meeting and then adopted by roll call. Most votes passed on motion and second; roll-call names were read by the recorder on each item. Items approved included an amendment to Title 13, Chapter 2, Section 13-2-70 (wastewater treatment tap fee schedule); an ordinance rezoning property on West College Street and West Jackson Boulevard from R-1 (low-density residential) to PRD (planned residential district); resolutions to participate in short-term 0% financing and to seek EDA grant support tied to repair and improvements for the town’s water intake and treatment work; and a USDA-related resolution tied to funding steps for the new water treatment plant.

Also approved were contract/consultant selections for the Town’s 2025 Local Parks and Recreation (LPRF) grant project (Community Development Partners for administrative services and Todd Wood Engineering for design/engineering), an amended Jonesborough Fire District map, an equipment capital note authority for 2025 borrowing, an update to the municipal code concerning prohibited signs in the historic district, pricing for street department repairs of utility cuts, and a bid for replacement pool filtration systems at the Wetlands Water Park. The board granted a special-event permit for “Jeeps on Main.”

One item that drew some discussion before adoption was an ordinance establishing a two‑year moratorium on data processing centers and similar high-electricity commercial uses. Mayor Adam and staff said the moratorium will allow the town time to consider zoning, technical standards, and local impacts before any such use is proposed formally.

The board also approved reappointments to the Jonesborough Regional Planning Commission and changes to senior center policy and procedures. For several grant- and loan-related measures (EDA, USDA, LPRF) the board’s discussion noted that the town expects to use interim or matched financing and that federal disaster or grant funding will be used to reimburse or reduce local borrowing where applicable.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/seconds and recorded roll-call names where read aloud)
- Ordinance amending wastewater tap fee schedule (Title 13, Ch. 2, §13-2-70): motion by Alderman Dixon; second Alderman Jenkins; roll call included Alderman Dixon and Alderman Jenkins (record shows Ayes; item approved).
- Ordinance rezoning West College St./West Jackson Blvd (R-1 to PRD): motion by Alderman Counterman; second (called); roll call recorded Ayes from Alderman Kellerman, Alderman Causey, Alderman Dixon, Alderman Jenkins (item approved on second reading).
- Resolution to participate in interim low-/no‑interest financing and pursue EDA disaster-related grant for intake/treatment repairs (water plant): motion Alderman Jenkins; second Alderman Dixon; roll call recorded Ayes and item approved.
- USDA resolution for funding steps related to the new treatment plant (first-phase paperwork): motion Alderman Countermine; second Alderman Jenkins; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Resolutions hiring Community Development Partners (administrative services) and Todd Wood Engineering (engineering services) for the 2025 LPRF grant project: motions and seconds made; roll calls recorded Ayes (both items approved; approvals done in separate votes).
- Resolution approving amended Jonesborough Fire District map: motion Alderman Jenkins; second Alderman Counterfeit; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Ordinance establishing a two‑year moratorium on data processing centers / high‑density data uses: motion Alderman Kattermeyer; second Alderman Causey; roll-call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Resolution/authorization for 2025 equipment acquisition capital outlay note (borrowing): motion and second recorded; roll call Ayes (item approved).
- Amendment to municipal code Title 11, Chapter 12 (prohibited signs / lighting in historic downtown): motion Alderman Jenkins; second Alderman Dixon; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Street department pricing plan for repair of utility cuts and related equipment procurement (hotbox, asphalt access): motion Alderman Jenkins; second Alderman Causey; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Special-event permit for Jeeps on Main (date change to January 17): motion to approve; second; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).
- Bid award for replacement/upgrade of Wetlands pool filtration systems: motion Alderman Dixon; second Alderman Kalsey; roll call recorded Ayes (item approved).

The board made several of the approvals by unanimous voice/roll-call vote; the recorder read roll-call names and recorded Ayes during each vote. Where full individual tallies were read aloud the transcript captured individual Aye responses for named aldermen; if a particular vote tally or individual yes/no name was not read aloud in the transcript, the official recorder’s entry was referenced in the meeting materials rather than inferred in this summary.

What the measures do next
Several adopted resolutions authorize staff to complete grant paperwork, sign application documents and proceed with design or procurement. Staff said federal or state grant proceeds and disaster reimbursements are expected to reduce net borrowing for the water plant and intake repairs once awarded. The board directed staff to return with required contract documents and interlocal agreement language where county or outside parties are involved (for the fire map and trail/LPRF cooperation with Washington County).