June is set to be a busy month for city officials.

A slew of agenda items are on the docket for Thursday’s City Council meeting — set for 6 p.m. inside City Hall — including the final passage of a property purchase for customers of the city’s Water Resources Department.

Members will look to vote on the second and final reading of a budget ordinance to allow the city to purchase roughly 74 acres of land from Eugene Lewis, totalling $137,900, near the Hampton spring to preserve the water’s usage for city residents.

Discussions have gone on for several months between City Attorney Roger Day, Water Resources Manager Johann Coetzee and Lewis on the potential purchase of the property. Throughout discussions city officials have indicated that all parties came to the realization that Lewis would be unable to draw an economic benefit from his logging company, which was housed on the land, without harming the water source provided by the Hampton Spring.

According to the water department, the spring accounts for 53 percent of the available water for Elizabethton and roughly 60 percent of the department’s average production.

Coetzee spoke during recent budget workshops, citing the importance for the city to obtain the property for residents. The money will come from the 2017-18 budget for the Water/Sewer Fund.

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Continuing the trend of budget talks, city officials recently announced that Council will hold a special called meeting on Monday, June 25, at 4 p.m. for second and final readings, and public hearings, on the 2018-19 city budget and Elizabethton City Schools budget.

According to the city’s current proposed budget, the tax rate will remain at $1.79, meaning no property tax increase for residents. The budget features bond proceed funding going toward several projects, including work with Parks & Rec, Elizabethton Police Department, Elizabethton Fire Department, Elizabethton Golf Course and the development of a future sports complex.

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Thursday’s Council meeting will also be the first for City Manager Daniel Estes.

The city will hold a swearing-in ceremony for Estes prior to the start of the meeting. Estes has been busy this month, due to his employment starting on June 1.

Council will look to approve an employment agreement with Estes, who comes to the city after serving as a town administrator in Collierville since 2016.

The agreement notes that Estes’ base salary for the position is $94,000.

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In other business, Council will look to delve into a variety of items and upcoming events. Council will look to approve various activities, including the upcoming Race For Wandell, set for Sept. 15, and the annual Independence Day Celebration hosted by Parks & Rec. Council will also look at a motion to approve naming the bridge on Mary Patton Highway after World War II veteran Roy J. McKinney. McKinney served as the Carter County Court Clerk for nearly 30 years, an active member of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club and highly regarded as one of the most decorated Tennessee soldiers to serve in WWII.