Gothard Appointed To City Judge, Rader Cookeville Attorney

Cookeville City Council reappointed Joy Buck Gothard as City Judge and Dan Rader as City Attorney.

“Dan’s been our attorney since 2007, and honestly, I couldn’t do it without him,” City Manager James Mills said. “I’m so very grateful that he’s agreed to continue to serve.”

The attorney serves a two-year term, expiring in 2025.

“I want to thank everybody for your confidence,” Rader said. “I enjoy this immensely, and I’m always here to answer any questions anybody has. And I just want you to know how much I really appreciate this.”

Gothard took over for David Ledbetter as City Judge last year. She will now serve her own two-year term.

“Joy has done a fantastic job,” Mills said. “We’re really happy with what she’s doing for us and appreciative that she’s agreed to continue to serve.”

In other business, the Council approved the new fiscal year budget on second reading, including a property tax increase. The Council approved the purchase of a new ladder truck, at a price tag of some $2.17 million. Estimates are it could take 41 months to build the truck which will go at Station Two.