Portland City Council Meeting June 15, 2026: Budget, Data Center Moratorium, SAFER Grant

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Portland, Tennessee met on June 15, 2026, to adopt the annual budget and tax rate, approve a moratorium on data center developments, authorize application for a federal firefighter staffing grant, and handle other administrative matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from June 1, 2026 work study and city council meeting, and department reports for May 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were signed up for agenda-related or non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

Budget Ordinance 26-28 (Second Reading)

• Finance Director Rachel presented changes since the first reading: no property tax increase; employee pay step increase plus 2.4% COLA; health insurance reflecting a 10.5% increase (applied only January–June due to calendar year difference); addition of a sanitation rear-loader truck ($250,000); stormwater projects (Lindsay Cala Bridge $100,000, airport detention pond $85,000); water/sewer projects (sewer point repairs $300,000, generators for EPA $650,000, jet vac truck $390,000); gas department crew cab truck ($60,000); and two police cars ($130,000) and two mowers ($24,000) funded through impact fees.
• Lengthy discussion occurred about the jet vac truck purchase versus using the $390,000 for immediate sewer repairs. Some aldermen questioned timing but acknowledged the truck would improve efficiency. A compromise was reached to keep the line item in the budget, gather delivery time and utilization data, and finalize the decision at the July 20 meeting. The motion to accept the budget as presented passed.

Budget Ordinance 26-33 (Second Reading)

• This ordinance amends the current fiscal year 2025–2026 budget. Updates included new grant revenues and corresponding expenses. The motion to adopt as updated passed.

SAFER Grant Discussion (Fire Department)

• Chief Thornton requested permission to apply for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for 15 firefighters over three years. Federal share: 75% of salary/benefits for first two years, 35% for third year; total grant value ~$4.07M, city match ~$1.57M. No obligation to retain personnel after the grant period. The board authorized the application despite concerns about long-term funding and potential need for a third fire station.

Resolution 26-56: Data Center Moratorium

• Vice-Mayor Thompson presented a resolution to pause data center developments until a zoning framework is established. Alderman Woodall successfully amended it to a minimum three-year moratorium. The city attorney noted legal risks but the board passed the amended resolution.

Discussion on Anti-Choking Devices (Police Department)

• Alderman Jennings proposed equipping vehicles with "Dechoker" devices (~$2,700 total). Since devices are not FDA-approved, staff will research liability, insurance, and training before a final decision.

Utility Infrastructure Resolutions

• Resolution 26-57: Approved write-off of outstanding utility customer accounts for FY2026.
• Resolution 26-59: Approved increased scope with CSR Engineering to include lift station design, saving ~$6,500 by combining bids.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred Ordinance 26-25 (public alley surplus) to July 20, 2026.
• Approved Consent Calendar.
• Adopted Resolution 26-58 (Certified Tennessee Downtowns program participation).
• Adopted Ordinance 26-28 (FY2026–2027 budget and tax rate) as presented, with jet vac truck decision deferred to July 20.
• Adopted Ordinance 26-33 (FY2025–2026 budget amendment) as updated.
• Authorized application for the SAFER grant.
• Adopted Resolution 26-56 (data center moratorium for minimum three years).
• Directed further research on anti-choking devices.
• Approved Resolutions 26-57 and 26-59.