Bristol, Tennessee’s new budget boosts infrastructure, ramps up skate park plans

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB) — Economic development and infrastructure are key themes of the budget for the next fiscal year in Bristol, Tennessee. The budget was recently approved by city council members.

“It’s a puzzle that you are continually moving the pieces, the picture always changes,” said Kelli Bourgeois, city manager of the City of Bristol, Tennessee.

That’s how city leaders in Bristol, Tennessee describe putting together a budget.

“Our total budget has increased about 6% overall, we have our $150 million budget, so, not a small budget, but not that large of an increase, either.”

But what are some of the priorities included in the budget?

“Not things that the general public are going to see a lot, but certainly, things that we absolutely need and are going to be happening behind the scenes,” said Bourgeois. “We’ve still got big transportation and water and wastewater projects that we are doing that we have either received grants from the federal government or from the state government.

One of those projects is enhancing pedestrian safety by installing sidewalks and curbing along a one-mile stretch of Bluff City Highway and Edgemont Avenue. That work is expected to continue through January.

Another area of focus, is bringing a skate park to Bristol, Tennessee.

Right now, skaters have been showing off their skills at a temporary skate park at Rooster Front Park.

“We do have money in the budget to evaluate location and do design for a skate park,” said Bourgeois. “That has been talked about for a number of years, so that is moving forward now.”

Members of the grassroots group, Skate Bristol, have played a key role in ramping up efforts.

“They have been so patient, that group, and so positive with us,” added Bourgeois. “Our council is very committed to making sure that this happens, so to be able to actually put monies into moving that forward and seeing progress on that is extremely exciting.”

Leaders in Bristol, Tennessee with this message for residents:

“We are a very fiscally responsible city, we do not have fluff in our budget, we never have, and we certainly don’t now,” said Bourgeois. “We take the fact that their tax dollars are hard earned very seriously, and we want to make sure that we spend them the best that we can. We are good stewards of the taxpayers dollars, I think is the biggest message that we can send.”

The budget is set to take effect on July 1.