Cookeville Passes Final Budget Amendments Of Year
Cookeville City Council passed a handful of budget amendments Thursday night in preparation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year-end. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the ordinance includes amendments to five funds. She said $660,000 has been added to the State Street Aid Fund Balance to cover any paving the city completes before June 30. She said […]
Committee For Public Alcohol Sales Nearing Decision
Cookeville’s committee dedicated to finding an appropriate avenue for alcohol sales and consumption on public property is nearing a proposed ordinance. Committee Member and Soul Craft Coffee Owner Anna Dunn said the committee has met weekly over the past several months. She said the next step will be a community meeting where the committee will […]
Water/Sewer Moving Toward Advanced Metering
After deciding to move forward with advanced metering infrastructure for the Cookeville Energy Department, the city will implement the new automated meters for the Water Department as well. Cookeville Water and Sewer Quality Control Director Barry Turner said 40 meters have been installed to test the system and it is going well. Cookeville City Council […]
Water & Sewer Rate Hikes Included In Proposed Budget
Cookeville’s Water Quality Control Department proposing water and sewer rate increases in its 2025 budget. Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said the increase is due to a spike in chemical costs. He said the price for chemicals was more than $1 million in 2023, a nearly 50 percent increase from 2022. “I know it’s […]
Traffic Signal Technology Approved Along Jackson
Cookeville Public Works will upgrade traffic signal technology at eight intersections along the Jackson Street corridor in an effort to improve traffic flow. Director Mary Beth Elrod said the $42,000 in equipment is part of the city’s ongoing work to use technology to produce real-time adjustments to signalization. It includes upgrading to fiber and installing […]
Willow/Jackson Right Of Way Acquisition To Resume
Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday night to resume right-of-way acquisition for the South Willow Avenue/West Jackson Street intersection improvement project. Economic and Community Development Director Jon Ward said the amendment would give the city right-of-way for dual northbound turn lanes and a dedicated westbound turn lane. He said the original contract amount was some […]
Cookeville Regional Committee Approves New Fiscal Budget
The Cookeville Regional Finance Committee passed the medical center’s 2025 fiscal year budget Tuesday night, with some $14.5 million for expansion and innovation projects. Chief Financial Officer Tommye Rena Wells said the lion’s share of the expansion costs are budgeted for the 4 West and 5 West projects, a combined $9.3 million. She said the […]
School Zoning Change Receives Final Approval
Cookeville City Council passed on final reading Thursday a change to the zoning code allowing private and parochial schools in the Commercial-Industrial Mixed Use District. The council asked city staff and the planning commission to consider changes to the rules in that district, potentially eliminating rules that might not apply to schools. Those changes will […]
Council To Replace Owens On CRMC Board Thursday
Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday night to appoint a new member of the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said Justin Cumby has agreed to serve. City Manager James Mills said Carl Owens has resigned from the board with two years remaining on his term. Mills said after serving […]
Cookeville Donating Another $3 Million To Tech Stadium
Cookeville will donate an additional $3 million in hotel/motel tax money to complete the renovations at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium. The agreement includes language that the project must be finished by November, 2026 or the city can rescind its donation. Council Member Chad Gilbert asked the city manager to finalize an agreement with the University. […]
