A property tax increase is on the table for the DeKalb County Commission’s new fiscal year budget. Mayor Matt Adcock said as currently proposed, the increase sits at around 27 cents. He said that an increase is necessary to help cover the county’s increased expenses. “It’s good because our employees are getting their yearly raises just like any other department ... Read More »

UCHRA eager to see how a new state grant opportunity to will play out in terms of addressing needs for childcare facilities. The Community Child Care Hub Pilot Grant will make available up to $5 million to help develop and establish locally managed childcare administrative hubs that will support networks of newly licensed childcare locations. Executive Director Mark Farley said ... Read More »

Trudy Harper will serve another term as the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees Chair. Harper’s term will now extend until July 2025. She was the only nominee. “I feel compelled to say before we vote, this wasn’t what any of us had expected, of course, I didn’t expect to do another two years,” Harper said. “Someone told me last night ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council Member Chad Gilbert said he believes the city should consider performing some of its own paving projects. Gilbert said most paving is usually conducted by a private firm. He said while the contractors are good what they do, it might make more sense and help the city in the long run to pave smaller projects themselves. “We ... Read More »

Oversight of UCHRA’s Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, or CASA, will be moved to CASA of the Tennessee Valley. The program is designed for children going through the court system who need some kind of guardian while they are involved with the courts. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said it has been difficult for the agency to work with CASA because ... Read More »

A new student event center for the coming fiscal year and a resubmittal for an academic classroom building on the list of capital plans for Tennessee Tech. The items were discussed during Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Vice President for Planning and Finance Claire Stinson said they have budgeted some $41 million for the new student event center, which will ... Read More »

Clay County will bear the total cost of emergency services moving forward. Mayor Dale Reagan said the county previously had an agreement to provide the ambulance units and the city of Celina would cover the service. He said after the county acquired the ambulance service last month, that agreement is no longer in effect. “We’ll have a full ambulance budget ... Read More »

A new splash pad in Sparta closer to a reality after the board of Aldermen approved some $2.3 million for the project in its new budget. Mayor Jerry Lowery said when he was running for mayor, an local amenity was one of the most significant asks from constituents. He said a splash pad was also identified as the number one ... Read More »

Putnam County Jail has recently received accreditation by meeting all requirements as set by the Tennessee Corrections Institute. The accreditation will increase the amount of money allotted per inmate from the state without costing Putnam County residents any extra tax dollars. Currently, the jail houses approximately 100 state inmates on felony convictions that were committed in Putnam County. Read More »

Upper Cumberland Development District and Human Resource Agency Executive Committees approved its budget for the next fiscal year. The Development District is projected to operate with some $10.2 million in expenditures, with a balanced budget after netting out match requirements and revenues. Chair Randy Heady said the new budget includes a cost of living adjustment for employee raises. “Last year, ... Read More »