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Cookeville council to seek referendum on roughly 275-acre Dotsam Branch Road annexation
Summary
Council approved a resolution directing staff to prepare for a referendum on an expanded annexation area around Dotsam Branch Road — roughly 275 acres — to be considered at the Putnam County primary on May 5, 2026.
The Cookeville City Council passed a resolution directing city staff to take the necessary steps to call a referendum on a proposed annexation around Dotsam Branch Road.
Planning staff told the council the annexation began with a private request for about 65 acres but the city included additional adjacent territory for more efficient service delivery, increasing the proposed annexation area to approximately 275 acres. "With the city including additional territory, a referendum is required to annex this area," Mr. Ward said. He recommended council pass a resolution to call a referendum to be held at the Putnam County primary on May 5, 2026.
Staff said they consulted the Putnam County Election Commission, which advised that placing the referendum on a regularly scheduled election would be more cost-effective than holding a special election. The resolution (R25-11-17) directs the planning division to prepare required notices and return to council with a plan of services and the required public-hearing schedule under the Tennessee Code Annotated.
Council approved the resolution by voice vote with a 5–0 vote (motion by Councilman Walker; second by Vice Mayor Eldridge). The council will schedule another public hearing on the plan of services and the annexation referendum to meet statutory notice and timing requirements.
