News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville City Council approved the first reading of its 2022-2023 budget Thursday night, including the addition of a bond issue for a proposed aquatic facility.
Mayor Ricky Shelton proposed the $15 million bond addition for the facility. Council member Mark Miller seconded the amendment. Council members approved the addition unanimously.
Shelton said the community has spoken for many years that a water facility is its number one desire.
Shelton said the inclusion of the bond in the budget does not guarantee the aquatic facility will happen as land must still be acquired and a facility designed. Shelton said the new council would not be locked into the decision, but would see that it was the current council’s wish.
Council Member Charles Womack said the police station took about seven years from idea to opening. He said the aquatic facility would likely take a similar time.
With the addition of the aquatic facility, the city still have $10 to $15 million in bond capacity for other projects.
The council also included a fourth pay-as-you-go transportation project in the budget, the phase two improvements to Cedar Avenue. City Manager James Mills said landowners in that area want to move forward with the next part of the plan including improved parking.
The budget includes $32.5 million in revenues, $31.46 million in expenses, and over $2.9 million in capital expenditures. The property tax rate will remain at 82 cents per $100, bottom third among Tennessee municipalities. Local sales tax makes up some 52 percent of revenues in this year’s budget.
