Mount Carmel Alderman · Nov 3, 2026
Jim
Bare
Jim Bare, the incumbent, is running for Mount Carmel Alderman in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 3 seats.
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The race · Alderman
- 01Jim BareYou’re reading
- 02Brian Erazmus
- 03Jim GilliamIncumbent
- 04Justin Mann
Background
- About
- Mount Carmel's vice mayor, finishing four years on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
On the record: Jim Bare
17 sourced01Sewer rates5 sourced positions
Says the board had no choice but to raise sewer rates, or the state would set them higher.
This BMA has no choice but to raise the rates or the state will come in and do that for us at higher rate.”
Own statementKingsport Times News · Oct 15, 2026Link
Moved and voted to adopt the wastewater utility rate study and future rate adjustments as drafted (passed 5-2, June 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on amending the wastewater rate study resolution to a 4% yearly rate increase (failed 2-5, June 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 26-673 setting sewer rates and charges from April 1, 2026 (passed 6-1, March 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, March 26, 2026 · Mar 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on raising sewer rates 35% to a $43.88 base rate (passed 7-0, March 2025).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, March 27, 2025 · Mar 27, 2025LinkHow the council voted
02Police staffing3 sourced positions
as reported by the Kingsport Times News; not a direct quote
Said he supports the police department but it was not the right time to move money, five months before budget season.
Own statementKingsport Times News · Jan 22, 2026Link
Voted no on the first reading of a police staffing budget amendment including two supervisory positions, vehicles, equipment, and fuel (passed 5-2, January 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 22, 2026 · Jan 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Was absent for the final vote on the police patrol supervisor budget amendment (January 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 29, 2026 (special called meeting) · Jan 29, 2026Link
03Parks2 sourced positions
Wants more improvements at the town park at no cost to residents, and the sewer plant upgrades completed.
I will continue to work with our staff to see more improvements at the park at no cost to the citizens and ensure the sewer plant upgrades are completed.”
Own statementKingsport Times News · Oct 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on accepting a bid to build park bathrooms and a pavilion (passed 7-0, January 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 22, 2026 · Jan 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04911 dispatch funding2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a resolution opposing the Hawkins County 911 district's cost-share proposal (passed 6-0, January 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 22, 2026 · Jan 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on authorizing the town manager to negotiate, establish a working group, and contact state legislators regarding Hawkins County ECD (passed 7-0, February 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, February 26, 2026 · Feb 26, 2026Link
05Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the 2026-27 town budget (passed 7-0, May 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, May 21, 2026 · May 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Town attorney1 sourced position
Moved and voted for hiring the Spurrell, Studer & Matney Law Group as town attorney (passed 5-2, May 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, May 21, 2026 · May 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Land use1 sourced position
Voted yes on a resolution prohibiting crypto and data mining facilities (passed 6-0, July 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Town personnel1 sourced position
Voted yes on revising the town's personnel policies and procedures (passed 4-3, June 2026).
Council voteMount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mount Carmel alderman in 2022 (won).
Own statementTennessee Town & City (TML) · Nov 9, 2022Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Jim Bare: their words and their votes on the same issue
Sewer rates
In their words
Says the board had no choice but to raise sewer rates, or the state would set them higher.
Oct 15, 2026 ·Kingsport Times News · Oct 15, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on raising sewer rates 35% to a $43.88 base rate (passed 7-0, March 2025).
Mar 27, 2025 ·Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, March 27, 2025 · Mar 27, 2025
Voted yes on Resolution 26-673 setting sewer rates and charges from April 1, 2026 (passed 6-1, March 2026).
Mar 26, 2026 ·Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, March 26, 2026 · Mar 26, 2026
Voted no on amending the wastewater rate study resolution to a 4% yearly rate increase (failed 2-5, June 2026).
Jun 25, 2026 ·Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026
Parks
In their words
Wants more improvements at the town park at no cost to residents, and the sewer plant upgrades completed.
Oct 15, 2026 ·Kingsport Times News · Oct 15, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on accepting a bid to build park bathrooms and a pavilion (passed 7-0, January 2026).
Jan 22, 2026 ·Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 22, 2026 · Jan 22, 2026
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