Pulaski aldermen approve $300,000 borrowing for ladder truck, waive multiunit tap fees and pass annexation and zoning measures

PULASKI, Tenn. — The Pulaski Board of Mayor and Aldermen on May 13 voted to authorize borrowing $300,000 toward a ladder truck purchase, adopted a midyear budget amendment on second reading, approved annexation of 219.03 acres at 1950 Elton Pike into the city as R‑1, adopted a resolution to refer zoning questions to the planning commission, and approved a one‑year waiver of water, sewer and natural gas tap fees for developments of three units or more.

The approvals came during a regularly scheduled meeting in which council members also cleared several permits for upcoming events. The borrowing resolution, council members said, is a required procedural step so the comptroller’s office can issue a letter authorizing the loan; the board also explicitly noted CDBG approval would be required on the related bid award.

The borrowing measure was introduced by Alderman Harrison, who said he received the form from “Linda Mooningham” and noted the municipal comptroller’s permission is required. “This resolution is just just for the borrowed money, okay,” Harrison said during discussion. The board then voted to adopt the resolution.

On the budget amendment — an ordinance on second reading — council members said changes reflect several midyear needs, including acquisition and demolition work on the Merco property and upgrades related to the building’s central unit. The board adopted the amendment on second reading; council members emphasized the need to keep budgeted amounts at least equal to anticipated spending, citing a comptroller requirement.

The board also approved annexation of property identified as 1950 Elton Pike. Alderman Harrison said the plan commission recommended annexation and that the property will be zoned R‑1 on entry to the city. Council members stated the parcel totals 219.03 acres as recorded in the meeting discussion and said the planning commission would later review any rezoning or development proposals.

Council members adopted a resolution to standardize how staff handle routine zoning questions from property owners and callers: staff will confirm the current zoning and direct property owners with rezoning requests to the planning commission. The change is intended to give consistent responses to inquiries and to steer substantive proposals to the planning commission for formal review. John Green, identified in the meeting as the public works director, was discussed as a contact who will work with callers and the planning commission on zoning questions.

On housing incentives, the board voted to waive water, sewer and natural gas tap fees for developments of three units or more for one year. Alderman Keith said the intent is to encourage multiunit development to address the city’s housing shortage and noted the city and economic development department have a housing study supporting the policy. Council members discussed the financial impact: staff recited typical fees as $1,000 for water tap, $1,000 for sewer tap and $250 for natural gas service (for the first 80 feet), with an approximate total savings of about $2,500 per three‑unit connection cited during discussion. The motion to waive fees was moved by Alderman Keith and seconded by Alderman Bridal, and the board adopted it.

Under new business the council approved a special event permit for the Giles County Chamber of Commerce Sundrop Fest scheduled for June 14, 2025, and approved the Chamber’s temporary beer permit for the same event. The board also approved an on‑premises consumption beer permit application for Legends of Pulaski at 1520 West College Street; staff and aldermen noted the business changed hands and that state licensing for liquor‑by‑the‑drink is handled separately.

Votes at a glance - Receive and file city recorder and committee reports: motion adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). - Resolution to borrow $300,000 for a ladder truck: adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). The resolution authorizes the city to submit the required paperwork to the comptroller’s office to secure borrowing permission; related bid award language was marked subject to CDBG approval. - Ordinance amending FY2025 (02/2025) budget (second reading): adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). Changes include funding for the Merco property acquisition and demolition and building system work. - Ordinance to annex property at 1950 Elton Pike (second and final reading): adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). The annexed parcel was described in the meeting as 219.03 acres and will enter the city as R‑1 zoning. - Resolution to refer routine zoning questions to the planning commission: adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). Staff will confirm existing zoning for callers and refer rezoning requests to the planning commission. - Motion to waive water, sewer and natural gas tap fees for developments of three units or more, for one year (in‑city or county): adopted (roll call recorded as unanimous). Staff stated typical tap fees as $1,000 water, $1,000 sewer and $250 gas (first 80 ft). - Special event permit for Giles County Chamber’s Sundrop Fest (06/14/2025): approved. - Temporary beer permit for Sundrop Fest (06/14/2025): approved by the beer board portion of the meeting. - On‑premises consumption beer permit for Legends of Pulaski, 1520 West College Street: approved.

What remained procedural or informational - The board set a public hearing to consider a historic zoning ordinance; the meeting record states the board set a public hearing for “12:05, May 20 seventh 2025” to consider historic zoning language that would consolidate guidelines the city has used into an enacted ordinance. Meeting speakers said the intent is to place an existing guideline document into the city code so a single standard applies across historic districts.

The meeting adjourned after the new business and beer‑board items. No executive session was recorded in the transcript provided.