Crossville council approves 10% water and sewer rate increase; cites comptroller guidance

The Crossville City Council voted to raise water and sewer rates by 10% across the board to address projected expenses and maintain compliance with guidance from the state comptroller’s office.

Council members said the increase is intended to prevent the water and sewer enterprise fund from running a deficit. At the meeting, members described the adjustment as advised by the state comptroller; the council framed the increase as a financial management step rather than a reallocation of general-fund resources because the water and sewer enterprise fund is accounted for separately.

The motion implementing the 10% increase was made, seconded, and approved on a roll-call vote. The roll call recorded: Mayor Pro Tem Gert — aye; Council member Turner — aye; Council member Fox — aye; Council member Mayberry — aye; Mayor Brent Crawford — aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Council discussion noted citizen complaints and the need to explain the comptroller’s role; members said the state office would impose corrective action if the city did not make an adjustment. No rate schedule detail beyond the 10% across-the-board figure was provided in the discussion, and the meeting record did not include specific examples of monthly bill changes for household classes.

The council’s action updates rate-setting for the municipal water and sewer enterprise fund. City staff did not present a detailed breakdown of the projected revenue, timing of the increase, or an implementation schedule at the meeting; the enterprise fund’s separation from the general fund was reiterated during discussion.