The city's advertised price for a new aquatic center — and the costs taxpayers won't see on the brochure.
Above the waterline — what's advertised
$37,000,000
Sticker price for the proposed Johnson City Aquatic Center, marketed to taxpayers
Below the waterline — what taxpayers actually pay
Three costs the proposal doesn't lead with
$55M
real total cost once interest charges are factored in — $18 million more than the advertised sticker price
+20%
property tax rate hike — a 28-cent jump on every Johnson City homeowner
Ongoing
operational subsidy required — the city's own feasibility study admits "operational costs will exceed revenues"
Real cost to Johnson City taxpayers: $55M+ and growing
Sources: WJHL News; City of Johnson City Aquatics Feasibility Study (November 2025); City of Johnson City press releases. Visualization by Beacon Center of Tennessee.