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Commission approves OHM master-plan contract for Exit 440 water/wastewater study; city annexation questions remain
Summary
Cocke County accepted a contract with OHM to prepare a master plan for Exit 440 infrastructure, funded through external AquaFunds; commissioners discussed how to address possible future annexation by Newport and confirmed the plan will identify buildout needs and funding options.
Cocke County commissioners voted to contract OHM to develop a master plan for infrastructure (water and wastewater) at Exit 440, a step county leaders said is necessary to identify a permanent buildout strategy for the area.
Mayor Mathis told the commission the OHM contract is intended to produce a permanent solution — a master plan that shows how water and sewer could be extended to serve the Exit 440 area and the Cosby school area for the next decade. The mayor said funds for the planning study come from AquaFunds and that no county general-fund money is required to pay for the study.
Commissioners raised concerns about the city of Newport's growth plan and the potential for annexation of Exit 440 once infrastructure is in place. "What is gonna stop the city of Newport from annexing Exit 440?" Commissioner Andy Ford asked. Mayor Mathis said the county will need to negotiate with Newport — either by adjusting the city's growth plan or by contractual agreements that could limit annexation or define terms for future service and development.
The mayor and staff said the master plan will be used to determine costs and the next steps; once the plan identifies the build-out and price, the county would seek funding and negotiate with the city on potential annexation or service agreements. The contract with OHM was approved by roll call. No county appropriation for construction was approved at this meeting; the vote authorized only the planning study.
