By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a lengthy and busy meeting Thursday, the Paris City Commission approved a 10 cent hike in the city’s property tax rate, approved a controversial rezoning request for Hillcrest Drive and heard from several citizens on a variety of topics, including Dalton Watson, the son of Police Chief Ricky Watson.
Dalton Watson was passionate in speaking of his father who he said has always been his hero. He asked the commissioners to see what is happening. “People can see what is going on and I want you as a group to think about the safety of the community,” he said, noting that his father had worked through serious physical ailments “to protect the people and I hope each and every one of you” thinks of what Watson had done to serve the community.
His comments were met with applause from the crowd in the audience.
Earlier in the day, the city announced the pending retirement of Chief Rick Watson after 30 years of service. Watson issued a statement which said in part, “After a rewarding and fulfilling career serving the citizens of Paris, I am announcing my retirement from the City of Paris and the Paris Police Department. This decision comes with mixed emotions because this city has meant so much to me throughout my career. I love this city, and I love the Paris Police Department and all of its employees. It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside so many dedicated individuals who work tirelessly each day for our community.”
The city’s statement read in part, “The City of Paris and Chief Watson have come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial and will allow him to reach retirement with a full 30 years of service. His retirement date will be July 31…Chief Watson is highly regarded for his years of service. Recently, however, I determined that the Police Department needed directional change and that it was necessary to identify new leadership for this purpose. After discussing this with Chief Watson, his decision was to retire.”
For the full statements of both the city and Watson, see articles which were posted Thursday in HenryCountyNow and RadioNWTN.
Members of the 2026 Citizens Academy Class were recognized. With their graduation, they were presented with certificates and pins from Community Engagement Coordinator Abby Pierce.
The current property tax rate is $0.5703 per $100 of assessed value. City Manager Kim Foster said to meet the current needs of the city, especially in the area of personnel needs, a $0.10 increase was recommended to make the property tax rate for 2027 at $0.6703.
Some of the personnel needs driving the hike are five new positions: Deputy Fire Marshal, two additional firefighters, an additional dispatcher (as requested by Henry County 911), and “a planner, as well as a market adjustment for the police department”, she said. The adjustment is designed to improve attraction and retention as well as a few salary adjustments to compensate for additional responsibilities.
Foster noted that the city is ‘woefully understaffed in the fire department” and Fire Chief Jamie Hinson said standards recommend that there be 12-14 firefighters at each structure fire, but Paris Fire Department has six.
The last property tax rate incrase was in 2023. Tax relief is available for those that qualify, Foster said.
The commission also approved the city budget on first reading. It includes a 3 percent COLA for all employees, $1.6M in the street paving budget, the aforementioned five new full-time positions, and eight grant projects with a combined match of $493,150.
Commissioners approved the controversial rezoning request for 43 Hillcrest Drive. Justin Stutzman had submitted the request, asking it be rezoned from Residential Low Density to Highway Commercial District.
During the public comment section of the agenda, residents of the Hillcrest Drive area Nicholas Walsh, Jan Hittle, and Minion Blair continued neighbors’ objections to the change. Hittle said, “We ask that you consider the long-term impact the zoning will have and we ask that you definitively rejected this proposal tonight and uphold the residential character of the neighborhood.”
In other business:
–During the public comment section, Marvin Diggs related an incident in which he believed he was racially profiled and that his disability was not respected during an encounter with Paris Police. He said he met with Chief Ricky Watson “and he was very professional” but he asked that Paris Police receive more training.
–More from the public comment section, Katie Watson of Jackson St. objected to city spending for the new fire station and city hall. The city is prioritizing “buildings over infrastructure” and she objected to “long-term debt” by the city.
Foster and members of the commission responded that city officials have done due diligence in evaluating the needs of the city. “We’ve definitely done our homework and made the best decisions,” she said.
Commissioner Jackie Jones said, “A lot of research goes into our decisions.”
–Commission approved rezoning for 1406 Industrial Park Lane. Savannah Vaughn requested the property be rezoned from Planned Industrial to Planned Commercial.
–The commission approved the revision of an interlocal cooperative agreement with the Emergency Communications District 911 backup facility. Both retiring 911 Director Mark Archer and incoming Director Scott Wyrick were present at the meeting.
–The commission approved the CDBG Eiffel Tower Project bid award and additional cost. TLM conducted bid opening in April for the project. The lowest bid was $850,000 from Graves and Graves of Parsons. It exceeds the construction allocation. When contingency and required local match are included, the total additional funding is $92,000.
The project involves construction of a boardwalk and other improvements to the Eiffel Tower Park II trout pond and trails.
Photo: Members of the 2026 Citizens Academy Class were recognized. Shannon McFarlin photo.