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Piperton reports solid fund balances and rising development activity; officials flag road base problems after micro‑topping work
Summary
City officials reported cash balances near $3 million and rising development activity including Prestonwood’s rezoning and upcoming phase‑1 plan. Public Works said core samples show poor road subbases in some areas and that some streets may need full reconstruction; staff expects budget proposals before June.
City Manager Steve Steinbach and department heads briefed the Piperton Board on the city’s finances, public works, utilities and development activity and answered resident questions about paving and traffic control.
Finance and development: Steinbach said the city is in the eighth month of fiscal 2026; most significant line items track above 67% of year‑to‑date expectations but local sales tax receipts remain lower than projected. Cash and cash equivalents are back at about $3.0 million after capital expenses tied to American Rescue Plan Act projects. City Planner Brett Morgan said development activity is picking up — the Board last month approved the Prestonwood rezoning and staff is working with the applicant on a phase‑1 plan that would add roughly 55 lots and could prompt the creation of a special assessment district to fund associated infrastructure.
Building and utilities: Building Official Elizabeth Reed reported 58 active new single‑family dwelling projects, 9 new single‑family dwelling permits in February, 4 certificates of occupancy, 38 total permits and $12,722.27 in permit fees for the month; she also noted 144 inspections and 12 code‑compliance contacts. Public Works Director Richard Mills said the TDEC/ARPA waterline construction is about 85% complete but work awaited railroad flaggers and fee reconciliation; the state park contract was signed by the Mayor on March 10 and returned to TDEC for final signature prior to an RFQ for trail and lighting design. Mills noted a reporting‑month typo in the water consumption report and provided volumes: 5,964,100 gallons purchased and 7,295,370 gallons sold. Sewer flow to Rossville measured about 2,722,000 gallons over a 35‑day period (average ~77,771.43 gallons per day, or ~97.21% of the 80,000 gpd allotment under contract); staff attributed some of the higher flow to water turned on during a snow event.
Paving and road base concerns: Residents raised issues with micro‑topping and recent paving in the Lakes of Greenbrier. Vice‑Mayor Mike Binkley and Public Works Director Mills said core samples show the underlying subbase in some locations is poor and that those roads may require full base reconstruction rather than a surface micro‑topping. Mills said staff hopes to present repair options during the June budget process and that the city will review contractor warranty/contract options with the firm that performed the work.
Traffic calming: Police Chief Jonathan Roney reported the department installed a new speed sign on Keough Road with plans for additional signs around the city; at least one resident thanked the board for the Keough Road sign.
What’s next: Staff will continue to reconcile utility bills and contracts (railroad flagger fees), proceed with RFQ steps for park trail/lighting design once the state signs the contract, and prepare options and budget proposals for road repairs ahead of the June budget decision.
