Council Approves $20M In Bonds For Projects
Cookeville will enter the finance market to issue some $20 million in bonds to pay for multiple projects. City Manager James Mills said the city will use the money for two road projects, the current phase two and design for phase three of 10th Street as well as phase one of West Stevens Street improvements. […]
Council Approves New Fiscal Budget On First Reading
Revenues up some four percent, expenditures up 7.6 percent in Cookeville’s new fiscal year budget, approved on first reading Thursday. Finance Director Brenda Imel said revenues total some $38.8 million, while expenditures tally $37.7 million. The budget also includes capital expenditures of some $5.1 million. “This budget actually actually has a deficit of planned use […]
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. […]
Cookeville’s Revenues, Expenses In Good Shape Mid Year
Despite concerns at the state level over tax collections so far this fiscal year, Cookeville’s revenues at the halfway point appear to be on target. Through December, Finance Director Brenda Imel said the city’s general fund revenues currently stand at 48 percent of budget. Sales tax revenues are on target for the first half of […]
Cookeville Proposing 10-Cent Property Tax Increase In New Budget
Cookeville City Manager James Mills proposed a 10 cent property tax increase in the new fiscal year budget. The increase would create some $1.17 million in additional revenue or roughly $117,000 per penny. Mills told city council members during a Tuesday work session the property tax increase would raise taxes on a $200,000 home by […]
Cookeville Accounting Department Uses New Hire To Help Growing Work Volume
Cookeville’s Accounting Department has filled a new position to help with its operation. Finance Director Brenda Imel said that it was City Manager James Mills who recognized this new hire as a major need for the department. “The volume of work that we do back here has grown substantially,” Imel said. “And it’s just to […]
Cookeville Will Consider Approving Updated Life Insurance Plan For City Employees
Cookeville City Council will consider approving an updated life insurance plan for city employees. City Finance Director Brenda Imel said that for the last two years the city has been with Lincoln Financial, and the agreement expires this year. She said that McGriff Insurance Services recommended extending the contract another year, even with Lincoln’s premiums […]
Cookeville Will Explore Changes In Employee Insurance Citing Record Claims
Cookeville City Council will consider making changes to employees’ insurance premiums and deductibles. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the decision to make the change came from a growing need to keep up with record employee insurance claims. “That exceeded what we paid into the plan,” Imel said. “That reduced our reserves in the plan by […]
Cookeville Utility Policy Changes Take Effect
Cookeville is making changes to its services and costs for utility customers starting this week. Finance Director Brenda Imel said service fees on all utilities will increase from $10 to $20, the first time this has changed in over 20 years. Imel said the service fee increase was needed for what it costs to send […]
Cookeville To Vote On Pay Scale Increases
Cookeville City Council unanimously approved adjustments to the city’s pay range scale Thursday night, just the second changes since 2014. The plan includes a one-time adjustment of four percent to all pay ranges. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the potential to earn more will help Cookeville fill high demand jobs. “We are finding it now […]
