Sheriff Pushing For New Inmate Work Program
Putnam County Commissioners will consider a new work release program for inmates who wish to gain employment while incarcerated. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the jail renovations are designed to allow this type of program. He said the department would receive an administrative fee from participating businesses and another chunk of the money inmates earn would […]
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 […]
Cravens: Schools, Commissioners Understand Fiscal Issues
Putnam County School Board Chair Kim Cravens said she believes the school board and county commissioners are on the same page about upcoming educational needs in the county. The two bodies discussed both the upcoming fiscal year budget during a meeting last week and more long-term issues. Cravens said the meeting helped create a mutual […]
Putnam Renews Health Insurance At Two Percent Increase
Putnam County Commissioners renewing the county’s current health insurance for county employees at a two percent increase. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said he feels very good about the renewal. He said discussions began with an increase of some eight percent, but the county worked the increase down to two percent. He said with the […]
Putnam Jail Expansion Some Two Months Behind Schedule
The Putnam County Jail expansion project is running some two months behind due to significant delays in equipment arrival. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris told County Commissioners Monday night he had hoped the facility would have been completed the first week of May, with a June move-in date. Farris said Bell Construction’s request for a […]
Putnam Opens General Sessions Courts To Adoptions
Putnam County’s General Sessions Courts can now hear adoption cases. Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson said adoption cases were previously only seen by upper-level chancery and circuit courts. She said with cases piling up, this gives people dealing with adoption proceedings an additional avenue to get their adoption finalized. “This again, will provide another opportunity […]
Putnam Asking Cookeville To Annex Fairgrounds Property
Putnam County Commissioners voted Monday night to request Cookeville annex the portion of the new Putnam County Fairgrounds that falls outside city limits. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the new fairgrounds fall directly on the Cookeville border, leaving half of the parcel outside city limits. He said the city cannot provide resources like sewer […]
Tech To Consider Reopening Hooper Eblen To Walkers
Tennessee Tech leadership will discuss the possibility of reopening the Hooper Eblen Center to walkers after requests at a recent Putnam County Commissioners meeting. Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Mark Wilson said opening the arena for the public is a very difficult proposition. He said it closed in 2020 due to COVID-19 and did not open […]
Commissioners Express Concerns About Nabors’ Decision
A move by Putnam County Clerk Wayne Nabors to use collected fees for employee bonuses drew the ire of several Putnam County Commissioners. Nabors received commission approval to use some $20,000 in restricted money to provide bonuses to employees inside the County Clerk’s Office. Restricted funds are generated by the department and can only be […]
Developers Can Get Extension For Possible VA Clinic
Developers moving forward in the process to build a Cookeville VA Clinic can request an option extension after a Tuesday night County Commission vote. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the Veterans Administration has notified the parties that it plans to make an announcement on the clinic during first quarter 2025. It is unclear whether […]
