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Cookeville holds public hearing, approves annual progress report on annexation plans of service
Summary
The council heard a staff report and approved the annual progress report on implementation of plans of service for multiple annexation areas; staff said 13 of 25 annexation areas are fully implemented while sewer service remains the primary outstanding obligation in many areas.
The Cookeville City Council held a public hearing and approved the annual progress report on implementing plans of service for the city’s annexation areas, a report that staff said is required under state law and details which utilities and services remain to be provided in annexed areas.
Why it matters: The report tracks delivery of services — especially sanitary sewer — in multiple annexation areas and informs planning and budgeting for infrastructure work. Staff identified specific areas where sewer remains to be extended and noted limits on sewer capacity in at least one drainage basin.
Staff presentation: City staff said Cookeville has annexed 25 areas that require annual reports; plans of services are fully implemented for 13 of those areas, and 12 remain with outstanding services to be completed. Barry Turner (speaking to council) and planning staff walked the council through the most recent work and pending projects for each area.
Key details from the report: Turner and staff provided parcel counts and recent work in many areas: - Old Bridge Road/Fallingwater River Road area: construction completed in 2015 served 111 parcels; in 2018 an additional 9 parcels were served; approximately 63 parcels in that annexation area remain without sewer service. - Buck Mountain Road/South Dry Valley Road area: 26 parcels received sewer in 2023. - East Highway 70/I-40 area: two phases of public sewer installations previously served approximately 165 parcels; a 2022 project added sewer to 7 parcels; a project begun in December 2024 is expected to serve 25 parcels along South Dry Valley Road and Highway 70 East. - Shag Rag Road area: a 2024 project provided sewer to 22 parcels; five parcels remain unserved. - Rebecca Place / Bunker Hill / Lovelady Road areas: some parcels served in 2010 and 2024; bids opened Jan. 28, 2025, for remaining parcels. - Bennett Road extension, Old Stewart Road, Mackey Farm and others: staff reported incremental extensions since 2016 and 2022; a sewer line installed as part of the I-40 interchange served several parcels and eliminated a pump station for Academy Sports; a remaining small number of parcels in some areas are not yet sewered.
Capacity limits and constraints: Staff said the city has limited sewer capacity in the Cane Creek drainage basin and that no additional units are permitted in that basin until the Cane Creek pump station capacity is increased. Staff said some projects were delayed by water-quality control review or easement needs.
Public hearing and action: The council opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers. Vice Mayor Eldridge moved approval of the annual report; Councilman Bocce seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Outcome and next steps: Council approved the annual progress report; staff will continue to report annually until required services in each annexation area are completed. Turner offered to answer further council questions and noted specific projects that are scheduled to bid in 2025.
