T-DOT Offers To Fix Cookeville’s Buffalo Valley Bridge
T-DOT has offered to take over the replacement of the Buffalo Valley Bridge over Cane Creek from the City Of Cookeville. Community Development Director Jon Ward told council during Monday’s work session the city initiated work on the bridge a few years ago. Ward said the city’s repairs to the bridge at that time were […]
Cookeville Planning Next Steps For Old Wilson Property
Cookeville has officially closed on the 5.3 acres downtown that housed the Wilson Plant. City Manager James Mills said the city has been interested in the property, located on southwest corner of Cedar Avenue and Depot Street, for several years. Mills said the city council is currently working to develop their vision of parking, green […]
Cookeville Considering Drive-Thru Ordinance Changes
A recent zoning request for a new fast food restaurant prompted Cookeville officials to discuss changes to its drive thru ordinances at a Monday work session. The proposed change would permit drive-thrus in a neighborhood commercial zone only upon appeal. In 2018, the city amended its ordinance permitting such facilities so long as they were […]
Growing Needs Lead Cookeville To Invest In Paramedics
The growing need for paramedics and the difficulty in keeping them, leading Cookeville to increase paramedic wages by some $5,000 in the new fiscal year. City Manager James Mills said medical calls make up most fire calls received by the city. He said he hopes to have a paramedic available during every shift. “It’s hard […]
Cookeville Council Honors Imel As Finance Director Retires
Cookeville City Council honored Finance Director Brenda Imel Thursday night for her service to the city that dates back to 2003. Imel set to retire after serving as Finance Director since 2015. Imel said she is grateful to have worked for the city of Cookeville. “The city is not just a great place to live, […]
Cookeville Proposes 7 Cent Property Tax Increase
The City of Cookeville is proposing a 7-cent increase in property tax for the upcoming fiscal year. The tax increase proposed during Wednesday afternoon’s budget workshop. City Manager James Mills said the increased rate will provide an additional $850,000 in revenue. Mills said the property tax hikes will help keep city employees at competitive salaries, […]
Cookeville To Re-Purchase 3 Lots At Business Park
Cookeville will repurchase three properties inside the Highlands Business Park that have not been developed following a Thursday night Council vote. City Manager James Mills said the park’s purchase agreements included language that development must begin with one-year of purchase. One property sold three years ago, two sold two years ago. Without construction, the city […]
Commissioners Pass Senior Tax Freeze Program
Putnam County Commissioners approved implementation of the Tax Freeze Act Monday night, providing property tax relief to some low-income residents. Qualifying individuals 65 or older, meeting the income threshold, could apply to the county to have the tax rate frozen, despite any future property tax increases. Commissioners passed the act unanimously after several months of […]
Reporting Error Likely Cause Of Cookeville Tax Shortage
State officials trying to figure out how a reporting error could have left Cookeville’s revenues short during the summer sales tax holiday. The law eliminating the sales tax on groceries required that cities and counties not lose any revenue from the legislature’s decision. Representative Ryan Williams said Cookeville showed a shortage of some $620,000. “The […]
Developer Asks For Delay In Wendy’s Signage Discussion At Old Kentucky
Cookeville City Council accepted a request Thursday night to postpone an appeals hearing on additional signage for the Old Kentucky Road shopping development. Developer Wayne Cravens had asked for the hearing after the Planning Commission denied an additional free standing pole sign for a proposed Wendy’s fast food location. “He is evaluating moving an approved […]
