The Crossville City Council approved a non-binding resolution Tuesday to begin fact-finding discussions regarding a potential partnership with the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority.
Crossville Mayor RJ Crawford introduced the item after it was pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. The council needed to clarify the scope of the resolution before taking an official vote on the matter.
“Again, it’s non-binding, no transfer of money or assets, simply the first step in having a conversation on where things go,” Crawford said.
Council Member Mike Turner pulled the resolution from the consent agenda to express his opposition to a potential merger. Turner said he wanted to ensure the council was careful in protecting Crossville throughout the process.
“This resolution that’s sent to us allows us to talk about it and get facts and numbers from our staff, which does not bind us in any reason to merge with CPWA,” Turner said. “But I still at this time I do not support it.”
Council Member Steve Fox asked about the timeline and actions that would trigger a binding referendum regarding Meadow Park Lake. City Attorney Randy York said that any plan involving the sale of assets would require public notice and an opportunity for voters to object. York said that if more than ten percent of voters objected, a referendum would be required.
“At that point in time any negotiations with the Water Authority should cease,” York said.
The council ultimately passed the resolution with a majority vote, allowing the city to gather more information.
“We’ve talked about a lot of things, but there’s a whole lot more that we have to talk about to even consider moving forward with this,” Council Member James Mayberry said. “So this resolution is merely fact-finding, as is said and published everywhere, it’s non-binding, so.”