Crossville may decide not to hold a citizen referendum to establish a city ambulance service.
City Attorney Randall York said the city would need a private act from state legislators to hold a referendum because such a use does not meet the general criteria. Council Member Mark Fox said the City Council should be in charge of the decision and not approach their state representative.
“If this particular request, need, or interest does not fall within one of those 13 allowances, I think there will be no reason for them to give us a special exemption or approve something outside of those 13,” Fox said. “So I think it’s just gonna be ultimately a decision we are gonna have to decide.”
York advised the council to pass a resolution to rescind its decision and notify the Election Commission that the city is not moving forward with the referendum.
Council Member James Mayberry said he would like the council to pursue a private act. Crossville Mayor RJ Crawford said to pursue a private act, he believes the council will need two-thirds vote.
“For us would be four votes,” Crawford said. “I just want to make sure, and I am not against that.”
The council asked if the city would be able to send the decision to merge with the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority to a referendum without a private act. York said they could.
“The reason it does is that our city charter is approved by the General Assembly,” York said. “It was a private act that created that. Inside the city charter is a provision that requires a referendum, and so by implication, it would move along that way. I have checked with both MTAs and the Attorney General’s Office, and that is their opinion as well.”