White County Commissioners Pass Mineral Tax Plan
White County Commissioners passed a new Mineral Severance Tax Plan from the state that will tax the extraction and production of non-renewable materials. Commissioner T.K. Austin said the plan will set the tax rate at 15 cents per ton starting in July. It will then increase by five cents every five years until 2035. Austin […]
Putnam Budget Committee Approves Nonprofit Funding
The Putnam County Budget Committee approved charitable donations and funding for non-profits in next year’s budget, but not without pushback from some committee members. The non-profit funding request totaled some $97,100. Commissioner Vinnie Faccinto made the motion to postpone approval until after a decision was made on employee raises. Faccinto said he did not feel […]
Fentress Approves Budget With No Property Tax Hike
Fentress County Commissioners passed a budget on first reading that will keep the property rate at $1.35. The commission discussed how best to make that tax rate work with growing priorities. The commission approved to distribute $1.14 to the general fund, eight cents to solid waste, six cents to the general purpose school fund, four […]
Cookeville Reminder: Dogs In Public Should Be Leashed
Cookeville Leisure Services reminding residents that dogs need to be on a leash when out in public. Cookeville Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said Leisure Services sent out the ordinance reminder due to a recent issue. “We see dogs that are running loose from time to time in various parks,” Wood said. “And it’s important […]
Mosquitoes Coming Out, Spray Repellents Good Defense
Increased humidity and heat along with all this rain has brought mosquitoes out for the summer. Putnam County Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said mosquito larvae start to develop when the temperatures increase, and adults are looking for food sources. Key said male mosquitoes feed on plant juices, but females often feed on humans. “The […]
Overton In Reappraisal, Property Tax Rate Down 90 Cents
Overton County’s skyrocketing property values will likely mean a property tax decrease in the new county budget. Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said rates will drop to $1.337 per $100, down nearly 90 cents from a year ago. Barlow said this year’s budget was much easier than last thanks to the state reappraisal rate. Barlow […]
Van Buren Receives Grant For Solid Waste Upgrades
Van Buren County will make some upgrades to its solid waste department after receiving an estimated $138,000 grant. The county will receive a 240-volt compactor, a 460-volt compactor, and six 40 cubic yard octagon receivers. County Mayor David Sullivan said the compactors will make upgrades in two locations. “The 460 was one that we was […]
Phase Two Of Widening East 10th Street Sees $708K Increase
A change order for some $708,000 in cost overages for Cookeville’s 10th Street widening set to be considered by Cookeville City Council. Phase two of the project between Fisk Road and Old Kentucky Road nearing completion. At Monday’s work session, Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the biggest issue in the phase two work, […]
Putnam Commissioners Ask Department Heads To Make Cuts
The Putnam County Budget Committee asked department heads and elected officials Monday night to cut ten percent of their request increases. The proposal made in an effort to cover a proposed cost of living adjustment for county employees. That increase would cost the county some $345,000. Sheriff Eddie Farris said making a cut would be […]
Two Candidates Address Goals For Cumberland Schools
The Cumberland County School Board interviewed its two finalists for Director Of Schools Monday, in-house candidate Rebecca Farley and west Tennessee educator Randy Shannon. Shannon serves as the Career and Technical Education director in the Benton County School System. He has also served as a middle school assistant principal. Shannon said he wants students to […]
