Hometown Engineer Chad Gilbert Named Cookeville Mayor
Hometown engineer Chad Gilbert will serve as the next Mayor of Cookeville after securing the most votes in the City Council race. Chad Gilbert said the opportunity to lead his own community follows a campaign focused on his previous four years of service to the city. Gilbert said the election results were the culmination of […]
Cookeville Considering Changes To Driveway Requirements
Cookeville City Council will consider making changes to the city’s zoning code regarding driveway surfacing Thursday. The amended code would require driveways to be surfaced to the back of the public right-of-way or for a distance of ten feet into the driveway in single-family districts. Community Development Director Jon Ward said Public Works has seen […]
Cookeville Breaks Ground On Energy Department Facility
Cookeville leaders broke ground on the city’s new $2.3 million Energy Department Facility Thursday afternoon. The city began the process of combining the city’s electric and gas departments over a year ago. City Council Member Eric Walker said breaking ground is an exciting step for the city. “Combining the Cookeville Electric Department and the Gas […]
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. […]
Cookeville Council Passes Ordinance Limiting Alcohol On City Property
Despite public comment in opposition, Cookeville City Council passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol at non-city events in city parks and streets Thursday night. The ordinance will prohibit special events with alcohol at Dogwood Park unless the event is conceived and produced by the city. Resident Blair Dudley said he […]
Gilbert: Cookeville Road Project Project Would Be A “Game Changer”
The idea of creating a new north-south roadway over Interstate 40 could help Cookeville get ahead of its increasing traffic problems. Cookeville City Council Member Chad Gilbert said a new Walnut Avenue overpass could give the city a needed option for north-south traffic. The idea presented by city officials to T-DOT leadership recently got Gilbert’s […]
Gilbert: City Should Start Creating Strategic Plans For Paving Needs
Cookeville City Council Member Chad Gilbert wants the city to start planning ahead when it comes to paving projects. Gilbert said the city should start creating a plan that stretches five years or more in order to better prioritize projects. He said there is technology and resources available to help calculate the asphalt’s lifespan on […]
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 […]
Cookeville Continues To Weigh Options On Woodmont Circle Property
City of Cookeville continues to weigh its options in trying to find a new owner of the property at 545 Woodmont Circle. The city came to own it when a resident had issues with sewer lines. At its last meeting, the council voted to extend its real estate contract and drop the asking price to […]
Three Newcomers, Two Incumbents Set To Serve On Cookeville City Council
Laurin Wheaton earned the most votes in the Cookeville City Council election, making her the prime candidate for the mayorship. Wheaton said that she was excited about the opportunity to take on the challenge. She said that Cookeville is in a great spot, and it’s not only because of her previous work on the council. […]
