Knoxville Utilities Board kicks off FY 2027 budget and long-range plan workshop

Knoxville Utilities Board kicks off FY 2027 budget and long-range plan workshopThe utility convened on April 16 to begin its financial workshop, setting the stage for upcoming water and wastewater capital plans following a recent Water Supply Master Plan update.

The board adjourned a brief regular meeting to transition directly into the FY 2027 Budget and Long-Range Plan Workshop.

Water Director Nathan Babelay and Wastewater Director Josh Johnson were scheduled to present long-term strategies and budget requirements.

The workshop follows a March update on KUB's Water Supply Master Plan, which highlighted completed and future projects.

The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) convened on April 16, 2026, pivoting quickly from a brief regular board meeting into its fiscal year 2027 Budget and Long-Range Plan Workshop. The regular business session featured no new official action beyond the approval of the March meeting minutes. President and CEO Gabe Bolas provided a brief report commending a KUB fiber construction technician for assisting a community member during a medical emergency. Following this, the board adjourned the regular session to transition to the financial workshop. The FY 2027 workshop agenda included dedicated presentations on water and wastewater planning. Water Director Nathan Babelay and Wastewater Director Josh Johnson were scheduled to outline the utility's long-term infrastructure strategies, operational needs, and financial requirements for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget discussions follow recent strategic updates at the utility. During the previous board meeting on March 19, Noah Newport, Water Systems Engineering Team Lead for Plants and Remote Sites, briefed commissioners on KUB's Water Supply Master Plan. That update highlighted the status of both completed projects and those currently under construction, setting the stage for the broader FY 2027 financial planning and future project pipeline. Further details on the specific FY 2027 capital allocations for water and wastewater infrastructure were reserved for the subsequent workshop session.