City Council Approves Budget First Reading, Tax Increase
The Cookeville City Council approved on first reading Thursday its proposed budget for the new fiscal year including a 7-cent property tax increase. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the increase will provide an additional $862,000 in revenue. Imel said that property tax along with growing sales tax revenue have left Cookeville in a good place. […]
Council Approves New Fiscal Budget On First Reading
Revenues up some four percent, expenditures up 7.6 percent in Cookeville’s new fiscal year budget, approved on first reading Thursday. Finance Director Brenda Imel said revenues total some $38.8 million, while expenditures tally $37.7 million. The budget also includes capital expenditures of some $5.1 million. “This budget actually actually has a deficit of planned use […]
Cookeville City Council Members Debate Fireworks Show Funding
Council Member Eric Walker said he remains concerned about Better Cookeville receiving city funding for the 2024 July 4th fireworks. Walker said the non-profit has a healthy fund balance and does not need city funding right now. Further, he said he believes it is wrong that one week the organization’s Facebook page will promote the […]
June 15 Public Hearing Set On Cookeville Annexation
Cookeville City Council will hold a public hearing June 15 to annex a 74-acre parcel off Tennessee Avenue. Council approved the resolution Thursday night. The annexation is by owner consent. Council will also set zoning for the land, expected to be commercial in nature, according to Community Development Director Jon Ward. The city will also […]
Council Wants Safeguards On Former Mayor Fireworks Spending
Several Cookeville City Council members want better accountability of the money provided for the Fourth Of July Fireworks. Better Cookeville, started by former Mayor Ricky Shelton, produces the fireworks show. City Manager James Mills said Better Cookeville has asked to increase funding to $20,000 in the new fiscal year. Council Member Eric Walker said the […]
Cookeville Council Approves Paving Work, Using Extra Revenue
Cookeville City Council agreed to spend $1.14 million in additional money on Spring paving Thursday night. The revenue generated, in large part, by higher interest rates on the city’s investments. Finance Director Brenda Imel outlined numerous other budget adjustments Thursday night as the fiscal year draws toward an end. Sales tax revenue, for example, has […]
Cookeville Moves From Self-Insured Health Insurance
Cookeville City Council voted Thursday night to move from a self-insured health insurance plan to being insured by an outside vendor. The plan expected to save the city over $1 million on its next fiscal year spending. Finance Director Brenda Imel said rising medical costs as well as the increasing complexity of the system made […]
Cookeville To Update Internal Control Manual
Cookeville is set to update its Internal Control Manual. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the manual was established several years ago as a way to create a checks and balances in city government. She said with the creation of a new department and changes to zoning codes, it was time to review and update the […]
Cookeville Considering Changing Life Insurance Provider
City of Cookeville looking to approve a new life insurance provider. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the renewal price for its current provider increased by more than 92 percent. She said after shopping out the plan, six different providers showed interest. “And the best quote was Hartford and they gave us a quote of 46.6 […]
Cookeville To Consider Bond For Road Improvement Projects
Cookeville City Council will consider moving forward Thursday night with another general obligation bond issuance of some $10 million. City Manager James Mills said the bonds would help with three projects: Phase II of the East 10th Street widening, Phase I of West Stevens Street improvements, and reimbursing the city’s general fund for the land […]
