Bolivar City Council Reviews Budget Challenges, Hears Department Updates at June Meeting
The Bolivar City Council held its regular monthly meeting on June 8, 2026. Receiving reports from city departments, discussing upcoming community events, and reviewing budget challenges driven by rising insurance were topics of discussion.
Mayor Julian McTizic opened the meeting by reminding residents that city offices will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteenth and July 6 in observance of Independence Day. He also encouraged residents to attend the city’s annual Red, White and Bolivar fireworks celebration scheduled for July 3 at Sand Beach Lake. All council members were present at the meeting. {Click here to read more about Red, White & Bolivar}
Department heads presented monthly reports highlighting city activities and services.
Utility offical Jim Nuckolls reported that annual fire hydrant flushing is underway, a state-required process that may temporarily result in discolored water for some customers. The utility department also submitted a grant application and is studying the feasibility of extending gas service into portions of Hardeman and McNairy counties.
Fire Chief Price reported 84 total calls during the month, including 76 within the city and eight in the county. Firefighters completed 273 hours of training, installed 38 smoke alarms, and conducted 19 fire code inspections.
Chief Price also announced that Engineer/EMR Russ Kelly has become a certified fire investigator, allowing the department to conduct more investigations in-house. In addition, Engineer Matthew Marek is now certified to teach Emergency Medical Responder courses, reducing the need for outside instructors. The chief thanked city officials for supporting the department and noted that the city’s new fire truck has arrived. {Click here to read more about the new fire truck}
The police department reported 616 calls for service, representing a 25% increase from the previous month. Officers issued 128 citations, responded to 17 traffic accidents, and made 39 arrests, including six juveniles. The department completed 459 hours of training. Officials attributed the increase in calls for service to longer summer days.
Parks and Recreation Director Anthony Ford highlighted the department’s first youth fishing rodeo at Sand Beach Lake, which attracted nearly 15 participants. The department also completed its youth baseball and softball seasons, serving approximately 350 children. Soccer registration will begin July 13 and continue through Aug. 27, while the youth summer golf league is underway with 23 participants.
Library Director Becky White reported strong community usage during May, including more than 500 library visits and over 1,300 circulated items. The library recently hosted its summer reading kickoff event. Mrs. White also provided an update on ongoing repairs to the library’s air conditioning system. {Click here to read more about the summer reading program}
Building Inspector Ricky Watkins reported ongoing code enforcement efforts and noted progress on construction at the local hospital. Watkins also discussed the city’s continuing efforts to address property maintenance issues. {Click here to read more about the new Bolivar Hospital}
Mayor McTizic informed council members that changes in state law will streamline the city’s process for addressing nuisance and blighted properties. Cases will now be heard in municipal court rather than requiring lengthy proceedings through general sessions court, which he believes will speed up cleanup efforts.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the city’s upcoming fiscal year budget. McTizic said city officials are working to finalize the spending plan and proposed holding budget meetings on June 22 and June 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor McTizic explained that the city has faced substantial financial pressure due to a sharp increase in employee health insurance costs. Initial projections showed a 60 percent increase in insurance expenses, representing approximately $400,000 in additional costs. City officials were able to reduce the increase to about 40 percent through negotiations, but the budget remains under pressure. Additional challenges include a 3 percent increase in retirement costs through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and declining collections from general sessions court fines. McTizic is working to reduce the budget deficit and hopes the city can balance the budget without eliminating employee longevity pay or a proposed 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment. He praised department heads for carefully managing spending and said city employees have worked diligently to identify cost-saving measures.
Following discussion of the budget, the council adjourned the meeting.
Click here to read about the May 2026 meeting of the Bolivar City Council.
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