Growth, traffic top 2026 Farragut aldermen concerns
As the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen moves into 2026, members say they face a range of challenges as they work toward individual and shared goals.
During a workshop retreat Friday, Jan. 23, at Turkey Creek Medical Center, board members outlined the issues the town expects to confront in the coming year.
For Mayor Ron Williams, a key challenge is balancing progress with the founders’ original vision for Farragut. He cited the development of the Town Center as an example.
“A lot of times when you look at what is relevant at that moment, things change slightly, and it most certainly did with the Town Center,” Williams said.
He said the original vision called for vertical development, with businesses on the ground floor and residences above. However, he said that approach did not work at the time for a suburban setting.
“Instead, we got a good developer who went horizontal,” Williams said. “So I think our vision, going forward, with (state) elected officials is going to be really important.”
Williams also pointed to staff training as a challenge, noting that many department heads and employees are new to the town.
“It’s great — we’ve got people from all over the country,” he said, adding that cross-training staff will be important as the town plans for future needs.
Traffic continues to be a major concern, particularly as Farragut and West Knox County continue to grow, Alderman Drew Burnette said. He emphasized the need to address intersections near schools.
Alderman Alex Cain and Vice Mayor Scott Meyer echoed those concerns, particularly on the west side of town and with the opening of a new school.
“Obviously, we have to be prepared for people moving into Farragut and the problems it can cause,” Burnette said. “We’ve also got to be ready for a development plan that will be developed in the next 12 to 48 months.”
“I think we’re going to continue to see growth, and that’s going to affect our traffic,” Alderman Joe LaCroix said.
To address traffic issues, Williams said the town plans to expand its Advanced Traffic Management System.
Cain said another challenge is maintaining Farragut’s reputation as one of the top communities in East Tennessee.
“We have to continue to be excellent stewards of the wants and needs of our residents,” he said.
Economic uncertainty and inflation also remain concerns, LaCroix said.
“We’ll be struggling to harvest new revenue, and we’re continuing to experience higher costs,” he said.
Meyer addressed rising costs relative to town services and assets, while Williams said Farragut must maximize its local sales tax revenue.
“There are alternative revenue stream sources out there,” LaCroix said, noting that leasing capacity from the town’s expanded fiber network could be one option.
LaCroix also said aging infrastructure, particularly stormwater systems and roadways, presents an ongoing challenge for the town.
