The City of Cookeville council voted 4‑0 to approve Resolution R25‑11‑21, which requests that the Tennessee General Assembly amend the statute cited in the resolution (transcript: 'TCA 6 51 1 0 4') to allow annexation to proceed without a referendum if two‑thirds of property owners owning a majority of the property in an annexation area certify they support annexation.

Mister Mills told the council the provision previously existed in state law but lapsed under a sunset provision, and said restoring it would reduce delays — he described the annexation process as taking up to 12–18 months and cited the potential loss of economic opportunities when businesses cannot wait. Mills and other council members argued the proposed mechanism would require a higher threshold (two‑thirds of property owners) than the current resident referendum and could streamline service extension such as sewer, fire and police protection.

Public speakers raised objections. One commenter said the approach risks “privatiz[ing] democracy” by shifting decision‑making toward property owners and away from residents; Jean Mullins, a neighbor of areas under discussion, said her family farms would strongly oppose annexation and asked whether the resolution would affect agricultural‑use protections in state law. City staff responded that the resolution is a request to the legislature and that existing statutory protections for farmland (as read aloud by a commenter) remain, and that annexation would not compel a change in how land is used.

Council debate included comments about potential cost savings from avoiding an election (councilors referenced roughly $30,000 in election costs) and about representation for areas seeking city services. The council moved and seconded the resolution and recorded a 4‑0 vote in favor.

The resolution asks state lawmakers to reinstate a statutory pathway; any local changes would depend on the final wording the legislature adopts.