Monterey officials have received a letter from the Comptroller’s office regarding an estimated $1 million shortfall in the town’s water and sewer budget.
Monterey Water and Sewer Committee Chairman Bill Wiggins said the town is not surprised by the letter, as the shortfall happened after Perdue left town. Wiggins said the letter states that the town must come up with a corrective action plan
“We’ve got to tell them what we are doing about getting a tenant up there, if that’s the proper terminology, and how we are gonna compensate for that loss in revenue,” Wiggins said. “Just exactly what we are going to do to address the situation.”
Wiggins said the town’s water and sewer committee will meet Thursday to hammer out a corrective action plan to submit to the comptroller’s office. Wiggins said the town is already trying to add water customers to make up the budget shortfall.
“Just to give you some idea of what’s happening now, just in the normal flow, we are extending waterlines at Highway 70 East to the newly designated business and industrial park on the Crossville Highway,” Wiggins said. “Monterey is in a position to accept the Mill Creek Calfkiller Highway Water Program that the county is performing right now, and they will submit that over to us. That will add customers, so we are adding customers, and who knows what the future holds. We are trying to expand and grow here.”
Wiggins said he is unsure what would happen if the town failed to put forth a corrective action plan.
“I have no idea what that might unleash,” Wiggins said. “I imagine some scrutiny from Nashville for the town of Monterey and our operation. We are gonna do it. Not only because we are obligated, but because we keep a good relationship with the Comptroller. They approved our budget, and it just got their attention, and we want to ease their concerns, and we can do that.”
Wigigns said he does not know where things stand with negotiations to get a tenant in the old Perdue Plant. Wiggins said he has a hunch that a new tenant will be coming.
