Spencer Budget Includes Public Works Department

Spencer Aldermen approved the city’s 2024-25 budget Thursday night with plans to grow the city’s public works department and tourism offerings.

Mayor Alisa Farmer said the main focus of the budget is addressing the changes coming to the city as their utility district is taken over by the Warren County Utility District. Farmer said the city will be developing its own public works department as the utility district workers filled that role in the past.

“We’ve already made progress with that,” Farmer said. “I’ve already hired one public works person that’s been on staff for about three months now, and so possible we might have someone else part-time, but it’s just going to be a learning year for us.”

Farmer said the budget also has an emphasis on tourism and economic development. She said they have received two separate grants from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for Spencer and Van Buren County that they plan on using to grow the area.

“It’s a win-win situation for both of us bringing more revenue into the city and county,” Farmer said.

Farmer said the utility change is completely new for the Spencer officials as the city has handled the utility district for about the past seventy years.

“We’ve had the water system, utility system for about that long, and so we’ve always worn different hats, and so now that it’s separated it’s uncharted territory and it’s a good thing,” Farmer said. “It’s going to be a good thing.”

Aldermen also approved a interim budget for the Spencer Utility District to be able to continue operating during the takeover by the Warren County Utility District.

“It’s just a continuing resolution to get us through this interim period,” Farmer said. “Even though they’re working alongside us with this, the paperwork and legalities and all that stuff, we’re looking probably at another three – two to three months period before it will be officially Warren County Utility District.”

Farmer said she is relieved to be able to move forward now that the budget is in place.

“We have a good board that works well with us and we look forward to the year starting July 1,” Farmer said.