The summer swimming season is just around the corner. Why not take the plunge and purchase a season pass to the Kingsport Aquatic Center. We’re certain your family will love it!

Our season pass entitles you to use the indoor pools and outdoor water park during the summer season, from May 1 through Labor Day. Season passes are now on sale.

The outdoor water park will be open the weekend of May 16-17, daily from May 23 through July 31 and then weekends only in August and September (until Labor Day). The outdoor water park is open weather permitting, while the indoor facility will be open during most inclement weather.

Season pass holders and Kingsport Aquatic Center members also have early access to the Outdoor Water Park 30 minutes before the regular opening time (except Sundays). Season pass prices are as follows:

–          Lil’ Splasher (Under 48”)	$100
–          Bigger Splasher (48″ and taller)	$125
–          Master Splasher (age 55+)	$100
–          Splash Pack (4-person household)	$250 ($15/extra person within same household)

 2026 Outdoor Water Park Hours

• Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Season passes and memberships can be purchased by visiting www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then select “Aquatic Center” from the list. You can also purchase season passes and memberships in person at the KAC front desk.

To learn more about season pass and membership benefits, call 423-343-9758 or visit swimkingsport.com.

Do you have art supplies lying around gathering dust? Are you looking for new materials to spark your creativity? Then come down to Kingsport’s second-annual Community Art Supply Swap.

The Kingsport Public Library is hosting a community art supply swap on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library’s Fort Henry Mall location. Participants may come to the event and acquire gently used art supplies for free.

Donations of new and gently used art supplies are being accepted from now until April 24. Donations can also be brought to the event directly.

Acceptable art supplies include paints, brushes and palettes, paper, yarn, fabric, clay and sculpting tools, jewelry-making supplies, slime-making supplies and much more.

“Last year’s event turned out to be a great success, with all manner of art supplies being swapped around by our local artists,” said Library Manager Stephanie Griffin. “Not only will you be saving unwanted items, but you’ll also be able to meet fellow artists, share your creative ideas and maybe find inspiration for a new project.”

Note – please bring only clean and usable materials and no hazardous or expired products. Anything left unclaimed will be used by the library in future programs or donated to other organizations.

Participants are encouraged to use the library’s event page on Facebook to meet others who are interested in the event and keep track of all recent information.

For information about other events, programs and activities offered by the Kingsport Public Library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org.

Finance officials with the City of Kingsport recently presented the Board of Mayor and Aldermen with an overview of the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The ACFR is a review of the city’s finances for the prior fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The ACFR provides a comprehensive, independently audited review of the city’s financial position and operations. The report includes detailed information across 37 separate funds and addresses key financial areas including cash management, long-term debt and capital assets.

Independent auditors issued an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the city’s financial statements, representing the highest level of assurance that can be provided. This marks the 27th consecutive year Kingsport has received such an opinion. Additionally, for the 25th consecutive year, Kingsport’s ACFR earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Key highlights from the FY 2025 ACFR include:

• Kingsport maintained a fund balance (rainy-day fund) of $25.3 million, representing approximately 25% of the general fund budget, exceeding the city’s policy target of 15% to 20%.
• Property tax collections totaled $61.5 million, compared to $57.8 million in the prior year, while local sales tax collections totaled $51.9 million, compared to $49.8 million in the prior year. Kingsport’s property tax rate is $1.9983 per $100 of assessed value.
• The general fund increased fund balance in the amount of $853,264. General Fund annual expenditures and transfers out totaled $100.5 million and was within 1% of the original budget.
• General fund debt service payments totaled $16.1 million during the fiscal year, with total governmental fund debt at $124.5 million.
• Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed Kingsport’s strong credit ratings of Aa2 and AA, respectively. The local unemployment rate stood at 4.5% as of June 2025.

Auditors identified one internal control matter as a significant deficiency related to the timing of pooled cash reconciliations. In addition, two compliance findings were reported concerning nepotism policy adherence and a minor budget over-expenditure of $83. Kingsport officials have acknowledged these matters and are taking appropriate corrective actions.

City leadership emphasized that the annual audit and ACFR process reflect Kingsport’s ongoing commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and long-term financial stability.

To view the entire ACFR, visit https://bit.ly/2025ACFR or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and select “Finance” under the “Government” link.

Bays Mountain Park will perform a prescribed burn tomorrow (April 8) as a proactive measure to reduce the amount of leaf litter, duff and downed trees on the mountain. This year’s burn will pick up where last year’s burn ended.

A prescribed fire is the skillful and planned use of fire on a landscape under specific weather and fuel conditions to help restore health to many ecosystems. The Tennessee Division of Forestry promotes the safe use of prescribed fire on both state and private lands in Tennessee.

Weather permitting, the prescribed burn at Bays Mountain Park will begin at approximately 12 p.m. tomorrow, April 8, and encompass roughly 25 acres of land between River Mountain Road and Woody’s Trail. The burn will take approximately four to seven hours to complete.

Bays Mountain Park will be open to the public during the prescribed burn; however, several trails will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 8:

• Azalea and Big Oak trails
• River Mountain Road east of the Fire Tower to Bays Mountain Road.
• Woody’s Trail between Big Oak and the Fire Tower.

The mountain bike parking lot will be closed for rescue vehicles and fire truck access. Residents can expect to see heavy white smoke rising from the mountain during the burn.

Employees with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversation will be conducting the burn with the assistance of Tennessee State Parks, the Kingsport Fire Department and the Dobyns-Bennett High School prescribed burn team.

According to TDEC, a prescribed fire is an important tool in forest health management. Prescribed fires help reduce the catastrophic damage of wildfire by safely reducing excessive brush, shrubs, and trees. They also encourage native vegetation to grow and are used to maintain the many plant and animal species whose habitats depend on periodic fire.

“Our first prescribed burn was a success, in that we reduced forest fuels and invasive species,” said Park Manager Megan Krager. “We want to continue that success by burning another section of forest, basically picking up where we left off from last year.”

For more information about Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, visit baysmountain.com or call (423)229-9447.