Walker: Concerns About Street Projects Efficiency Using T-DOT
Would Cookeville be better doing future projects on its own without T-DOT money? Cookeville Council Member Eric Walker said it’s something to consider. Last week, council rebid part one of the Spring Street sidewalk project which started in 2014. T-DOT delays have kept the project from beginning, and the price tag rising. Walker said that […]
Pothole Issues On Tennessee Ave. Could Be Addressed Through T-DOT Partnership
Some Cookeville residents concerned about potholes along the southern portion of Tennessee Avenue. Council Member Eric Walker said construction traffic around several new projects are likely part of the problem. “The biggest thing is is that we’re seeing a lot of potholes,” Walker said. “That was an older road that wasn’t really initially built for […]
Cookeville’s Eric Walker Running For Re-Election
Cookeville City Council’s Eric Walker is officially running for re-election. After picking up his papers Thursday, Walker said that he’s excited to run again. Walker said that the city has gone through a lot over the past four years, and now with the accelerated growth we see in Cookeville he wants to help play a […]
10% Retirement Reduction In Exchange For No CRMC “In Lieu Of” Increase
The Cookeville City Council will keep Cookeville Regional’s payment in lieu of taxes firm for the next seven years in exchange for an aggressive retirement repayment schedule. Council approved the plan Thursday night with only Charles Womack voting against. The CRMC Board of Trustees must approve the plan. That board meets next week. The council […]
Cookeville Approves First Budget Reading Thursday
Cookeville City Council approved the first reading of its new fiscal year budget Thursday night. The budget features $29.9 million in revenues with some $29.45 million in expenses. Expenses increased some seven percent. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the city will focus on increasing pay for city employees starting with an adjustment to the city’s […]
New CRMC Drama: Resolution On Reporting All Salaries Fails
A Cookeville City Council resolution that would have required the Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees to provide salary information on every CRMC employee failed Thursday night. The latest in the soap opera surrounding CRMC’s budget and the Ricky Shelton hiring came with Council Member Charles Womack’s surprise resolution requiring the Trustees to submit salary information […]
CRMC Wants To Continue Reinvestment In Community
Council member Eric Walker said Cookeville Regional continues to grow, but the payment to the city remains the same. During a first in-depth work session on the CRMC budget Tuesday, Walker said he did not want to see the hospital go private, but he did believe there was room for the medical center to do […]
Budgeting Money for Entranceways Would Improve City
Cookeville City Council Member Eric Walker wants money in the new budget under consideration set aside for Cookeville’s entranceways. Walker said TDOT is allowing cities to have a bigger role in improving entranceways to make them more appealing to both visitors and residents. “So when you enter the city of Cookeville, you know where you’re […]
Walker Said Council Should Withdraw Investigation
Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday night to accept the investigation of Ricky Shelton’s hiring at Cookeville Regional. Council Member Eric Walker said he thinks the council should go a step further. “I do think that we should publicly acknowledge that we were able to conclude that through this investigation that Mayor Shelton didn’t violate […]
Cookeville Council Approves Social Work Contract
Cookeville City Council approved a contract with UCHRA Thursday night to provide social work assistance to Cookeville Police. The pilot program will provide on-call service for police 24/7. The SAS program team will provide assistance with housing, mental health services, substance abuse, and other needs for people needing help. “We need a service with social […]
