Several Cookeville City Council members want better accountability of the money provided for the Fourth Of July Fireworks. Better Cookeville, started by former Mayor Ricky Shelton, produces the fireworks show. City Manager James Mills said Better Cookeville has asked to increase funding to $20,000 in the new fiscal year. Council Member Eric Walker said the city requires financials of the ... Read More »

The Putnam County Fire Department wants to add three new firefighters to help strengthen service in the western part of the county. Fire Chief Tom Brown said he wants to place fulltime firefighters at the Bloomington Springs Station. Currently, Brown said most of the nighttime service for that area comes from station 11 in Cookeville. “We have a part-time man ... Read More »

Fentress County has received a $1.4 million USDA grant to study the county’s water supply and how it could impact development. Industrial Development Board Member Dwight Dixon said the study will come at no cost to the county. He said USDA wants to help rural communities understand another important aspect of recruiting industry. “We don’t know what the study will ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager James Mills proposed some $1.3 million in increased salaries for police officers and firefighters during the next budget year. Mills said the proposed budget includes a roughly $10,000 raise for all police officers in the lower grades, a $5,000 raise for firefighters, and a $9,800 raise for paramedics. “We’re talking about major improvements in pay for police,” ... Read More »

Six Upper Cumberland counties ranked among the top half of counties statewide in child well-being and six ranked among the bottom half. That according to a report by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth released Tuesday. The report measured child development in each county based on 52 indicators. Smith County ranked ninth, the best score among the region’s counties. ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager James Mills proposed a 10 cent property tax increase in the new fiscal year budget. The increase would create some $1.17 million in additional revenue or roughly $117,000 per penny. Mills told city council members during a Tuesday work session the property tax increase would raise taxes on a $200,000 home by roughly $50. The property tax ... Read More »

Putnam County EMS wants to add ten new on-the-road positions to deal with an increased call volume. EMS Chief Tommy Copeland presented his requests to the County Budget Committee Monday night. Copeland said each truck is making about 2,800 calls per year, making Putnam County’s Ambulance Service one of the busiest in the state. “We do need to get it ... Read More »

Monterey needs to improve revenue in both its water and sewer operations with residents paying half of what they should. That finding shared with the Board of Aldermen Monday night as Consultant Sarah Chandler of consulting firm Jackson Thornton shared study findings. Chandler said the biggest discrepancy showed in sewer rates. “You’re bringing in 73 cents of every dollar that ... Read More »

Putnam County Commissioners got the School System’s syllabus for this year’s budget, the system’s anticipated growth needs, and capital project priorities during a joint session Monday night. Commissioner Darren Wilson said he appreciated the overview which included a facilities and maintenance priority list through the 2028 school year. “I do like the fact that they’ve got given us a five-year ... Read More »

The Putnam County School Board will bring a list of priorities to county commissioners that includes additions to both Cane Creek Elementary and Northeast Elementary. The two boards hold their annual pre-budget meeting Monday night. The system wants to add three to four classrooms to both schools in an effort to deal with a growing elementary school population. Director of ... Read More »