Tag Archives: Spencer

School safety, staffing and community connections have been the focus for Spencer Police Chief Scott Garing. Garing was appointed as police chief in September of last year after serving in the city 10 years as a patrol officer. Since taking the job, Garing said he has added two new school resource officers. “Connecting with the community has always been my ... Read More »

Spencer will pursue an additional $4 million in order to fund its Caney Fork River water project. The $6 million dollar project will construct the needed infrastructure to use the river as the city’s water source. Mayor Alisa Farmer said the next step in the work is moving forward. “We’ve discussed this with USDA and the state revolving loan program,” ... Read More »

Mayor Alisa Farmer said the city has reached the point where low water rates can no longer be ignored. If approved Thursday, a water rate increase of $3.75 would go into effect in February. Both city and county customers would be impacted by the increase. Farmer said after that, the city would increase water rates three more times in six-month ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Commission voted Tuesday night to transfer its $2.5 million in COVID utility funds to the town of Spencer and Bledsoe County. The state asked the county to make the transfer as a way to eliminate duplicate applications to the state. Engineer Consultant Zeda Hillis said the commission’s decision will eliminate the county’s role with this money. ... Read More »

The city of Spencer will report to the state Comptroller’s Office Water and Wastewater Financing Board next month on ongoing water efforts. Communications Director John Dunn said the state board has asked for an update on water loss and future plan to serve customers. “We’ve had really good conversations with the new administration there in Spencer,” Dunn said. “Ultimately, it ... Read More »

The Spencer Mayor and Board of Aldermen will not consider giving ownership of its water system to the Warren County Utility District at this time. The Utility District Board sent a letter to the city stating it would only be interested in owning the water system. That after the previous city mayor proposed a management contract. Mayor Alisa Farmer said ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee set to visit Spencer this week as part of this year’s Governor’s Rural Opportunity Summit. The Summit focuses on at-risk and distressed counties by engaging city and county mayors, education and economic leaders, and cabinet members. Lee will speak for about 15 minutes at the Fall Creek Falls Lodge about the continued commitment to rural Tennessee.   Read More »

The Warren County Utility District Board does not want to pursue a management contract with the Spencer water system. Spencer city officials shared a letter of request last month for the utility district to operate the water system while the city maintained ownership. Chair Glenn Mitchell said the board would be interested in purchasing the city’s water system. “We think ... Read More »

City of Spencer will see a change in leadership with new Mayor Alisa Farmer. According to unofficial results from the Van Buren County Elections Office, Farmer defeated Incumbent Mickey Robinson 201 votes to 181 votes. Candidate Duane Hodges came in third with 166 votes. Farmer said that as Mayor-Elect, the main issue on the forefront of her mind will be ... Read More »

More than 800 people voted early in Van Buren County, a turnout that Election Administrator Wayne Simmons said was good for November. Spencer saw 323 people vote early in a competitive city mayor race. Alisa Farmer, Duane Hodges and Incumbent Mickey Robinson all running for the seat. Simmons said the county overall had 821 voters. Simmons said he does not ... Read More »