Putnam County Commissioners Named For General Election
Some 22 percent of Putnam County voters turned out Tuesday to help decide six contested Republican primaries for County Commission. Former Commissioner Joe Iwanyszyn failed in his bid to return to the commission. Gene Mullins won District 10 to advance, with 36 percent of the vote. Kim Bradford advances with 34 percent. Iwanyszyn finished third […]
Putnam Budget Committee Approves New Budget
The Putnam County Budget Committee agreed on a new fiscal year budget Thursday night after reviewing department head cuts and deciding on cost-of-living adjustments. Department heads asked Monday to cut ten percent of this year’s increased expenditures. County Mayor Randy Porter said that reduced the budget gap to about $3.2 million which can be covered […]
Putnam Budget Committee Deliberating COLA Method
The Putnam County Budget Committee deciding on how to give a cost of living adjustment to employees in the new fiscal year during Monday’s meeting. Budget Committee Chair Ben Rodgers said Putnam County currently offers employees a step raise, which is meant to keep up with cost of living. Rodgers said in years past, the […]
Putnam Budget Committee Weighs School Funding Change
The Putnam County Commissioners Budget Committee will recommend a change to its funding mechanism for the school system, reverting back to a percentage of the sales tax instead of the current flat rate. The committee made the decision Thursday night after a presentation from Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King. King said the change […]
Putnam Approves $1 Daily Fairground Rental Fee For Fair Board
The Putnam County Commission Monday night approved a $1 daily rental fee for the Fair Board during the 2025 season. The move comes one year after the county commission approved no rental fee for the use of the fairgrounds. Commissioner Jonathan Williams said the original motion to waive the rental fee did not clarify how […]
Rodgers Re-Elected As Chair Of County Commission; New Public Comment Policy
Putnam County Commissioners re-elected Ben Rodgers as chair for the new commission year Monday night. Commissioner Chris Cassetty will serve as chair pro-tem. The Commission’s Fiscal Review committee elected Kathy Dunn as chair with Cathy Reel elected as vice chair. Terry Randolph selected as chair of Planning Committee, with Darren Wilson elected as vice chair. […]
Some Putnam Commissioners Interested In Changing Grant Rules
Some Putnam County Commissioners are interested in giving Mayor Randy Porter the chance to apply for grants without first getting commission approval. The idea came up during the August commission meeting when Commissioner Sam Sandlin questioned why Porter needed approval to simply apply. Commissioners were voting on a request from Porter to allow him to […]
Putnam Proposed Property Tax Increase Down To 18.8 Cents
The Putnam County Budget Committee voted Monday to reduce the property tax increase to 18.8 cents, sending the budget to Mayor Randy Porter to be finalized. The budget includes 91 new employees, the majority of which will serve the expanded County Justice Center. It also includes a marketplace adjustment to bring county salaries more in […]
Commissioners Hear Putnam Schools Growth & Maintenance Needs
Putnam County Commissioners got the School System’s syllabus for this year’s budget, the system’s anticipated growth needs, and capital project priorities during a joint session Monday night. Commissioner Darren Wilson said he appreciated the overview which included a facilities and maintenance priority list through the 2028 school year. “I do like the fact that they’ve […]
UC Realty Market Most Affected By Lack Of Inventory
Upper Cumberland realtors say the biggest thing affecting the housing market right now is a lack of inventory. Realtor Darren Wilson said that the influx of people moving to Cookeville and almost 300 homes destroyed by the 2020 tornado have contributed to the issue. “And so the builders are having a hard time not only […]
