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Residents press county for answers on water authority failures; mayor’s nominee not confirmed
Summary
Public commenters urged the Wilson County Commission to hold the Water and Wastewater Authority accountable for alleged failures tied to school and sewer issues. Mayor nominated Zendel Murphy for a five‑year seat on the authority; the nomination did not receive the 13 votes required for confirmation and the commission left the position unfilled.
Residents and commissioners pressed Wilson County leaders on Sept. 15 for clearer oversight of the Wilson County Water and Wastewater Authority and raised questions about operational failures that commenters said have harmed schools and customers.
In public comment, Ken Young of 1221 Shop Springs Road said the county deserves "straight answers to important and difficult questions," listing concerns he said only the authority’s chairman could explain: why "Adena still have[s] a monopoly," what started the problems at a county school, why the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation had issued multiple fines, allegations of falsified records, the disposition of ARP funds, and whether a federal lawsuit had been threatened for alleged pollution of drinking water.
Tom May, another resident, urged commissioners to seek answers from the authority’s top official rather than subordinate staff: "You don't go to the sergeant and ask him what went wrong. You go right to the top." Both callers said the commission needed direct, actionable explanations it could act on.
Later on the agenda, Mayor (name not specified) nominated Zendel Murphy to serve a five‑year term on the Wilson County Water and Wastewater Authority. The clerk conducted a roll‑call vote; the commission did not reach the 13‑vote threshold required for confirmation, and the nomination was not confirmed at the meeting. A motion to reconsider the confirmation vote was moved and seconded, but after procedural votes the commission left the appointment unfilled and the mayor said he would bring another name back next month.
County counsel noted that, under the state's holdover doctrine, an incumbent member remains in place until a replacement is confirmed. Commissioners and the mayor also described steps taken by the authority and state agencies: the county reported communications with TDEC, a state agency representative, and the water authority, and staff said TDEC and the water authority were coordinating to isolate and meter sewage discharge from the affected school while other work proceeds.
Commissioner Kurtz, who serves on the water authority, urged the commission to consider the broader context and said the situation involved multiple parties: "I think a lot of this centered around the school and the school being held hostage... I blame TDEC because they gave permits and then they reneged." Kurtz said he stood by the value of the authority’s work and indicated willingness to take responsibility for how the process has unfolded.
Next steps: the mayor indicated he will return with an alternative nominee next month; county counsel said the current authority member remains in a holdover capacity until a successor is confirmed.
