Cookeville City Council Approves $244 Million Budget
The Cookeville City Council approved the final $244 million annual budget for the city’s new fiscal year. Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the city budget serves as an outline for everything the municipal government is responsible for. Wheaton said the budget sets the blueprint and constraints of what is possible of local government. “This is […]
Bennett: Two Baxter Capital Projects Nearing Completion
Positive news on two important projects for Baxter. City Engineer Tom Bennett said the sewer rehab project has begun wrapping up. Bennett said officials do not yet know how much this will help with infiltration reduction. Bennett said they will be part of the monitoring to begin next. “You know, it’s really exciting to see […]
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 […]
Porter: Putnam Getting Grants For Fairgrounds, EMS, Library
Mayor Randy Porter said the county will use capital project funding in the coming year to finish more of the new Putnam County Fairgrounds on Tennessee Avenue. Porter said a $500,000 grant meant for sports complex lighting will be redirected to the fairgrounds. Porter said the money will go towards building a new steel and […]
Dekalb Schools Asking County For Help With Salaries
Dekalb County School officials told the County Commission’s Budget Committee Tuesday night, it needs help funding salary increases for teachers and staff. Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said by keeping a healthy fund balance, the district has managed to fund raises itself in years past. He said as general expenses increase and the district works […]
New Student Event Center, Academic Classroom Building Resubmittal On TTU Capital Plan List
A new student event center for the coming fiscal year and a resubmittal for an academic classroom building on the list of capital plans for Tennessee Tech. The items were discussed during Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Vice President for Planning and Finance Claire Stinson said they have budgeted some $41 million for the new […]
Cookeville City Council Discussing Work Session To Identify Long-Term Projects
Cookeville City Council hoping to schedule a work session to identify long-term priorities to rank and allocate capital spending. City Manager James Mills said every budget year they try to identify capital projects they want to address in the coming year. He said there is a need to do a more long-term look at what […]
White Co Schools Layout Capital Projects Plan For Next Five Years
The White County School System wants to invest $300,000 annually into capital projects over the next five years. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said a new five year plan was needed with the previous one nearing completion. “With the influx of ESSER funds, we were able to check a lot of those things off of […]
Cookeville To Create Public Online System Listing All Capital Projects
Cookeville is set to add a new online system to the city’s website detailing upcoming and ongoing capital projects. City Manager James Mills said the idea came after seeing social media comments from citizens concerned there was not enough work being done to improve the city. “And I was surprised considered how much coverage we’ve […]
COVID Relief Spending On Employees, New Buildings Not Advised
The idea of spending COVID relief funding on pay raises and new hires have been discussed as ways to fill positions. However, County Government Consultant Ben Rodgers said American Rescue Plan and ESSER funding should address long-term goals, without reoccurring costs. Rodgers said the funding will not be there in a few years, bringing repercussions […]
