Cookeville Officials updated residents on plans to extend municipal services into annexed areas during the city’s annual progress report.
Community Development Director Jon Ward said the report covered 12 areas annexed into the city between 2000 and 2018. Ward said all required municipal services are being provided in the annexed areas.
“Across all areas, the city is providing municipal services in accordance with the adopted plans of services, including police and fire protection, water service, solid waste collection, street maintenance, planning and zoning, inspections, electric and natural gas service, and recreation,” Ward said.
Some of the annexed areas in the report include the Buck Mountain Road and Dry Valley Road area, East Highway 70 North and Interstate 40 area, and the South Willow Avenue area. Ward said the city has not completed sewer services in most of the annexed areas.
“The primary remaining service in most areas continues to be sanitary sewer, which is being extended in phases based on funding, feasibility, and adopted policies, ” Ward said.
Ward outlined progress across multiple annexed areas as the city works to meet long-term utility commitments.
In the Oak Ridge Road and Falling Water River area, sewer improvements were completed in 2015, with extensions added in 2018. 63 parcels remain without sewer access. In the Buck Mountain Road and Dry Valley Road area, sewer service was extended to 23 parcels in 2023.
Providing an update on the East Highway 70 North and I-40 corridor, Ward said two phases of sewer projects have served approximately 165 parcels. Additional sewer service was added in 2022 and 2025, with 17 more parcels along South Dry Valley Road scheduled for connection in 2026.
In West Cookeville near I-40, all water customers are now served by the city. Sewer expansions have reached 82 parcels, and a waterline replacement project aimed at improving fire protection has been completed.
Ward said a 2024 sewer project in the Shag Road area provided service to 22 parcels, leaving five without access. In the Rebecca Place and Bunker Hill Road area, sewer has been added incrementally, with the remaining parcels under contract for low-pressure sewer installation this year.
Sewer service in the Bunker Hill Road and Lovelady Road area was extended to 20 parcels in 2023 and 81 parcels in 2025. Ward said emaining parcels are scheduled for completion in 2026.
“In those two annexation areas, we have a 20-year timeline to provide sewer service,” Ward said.
In the Freehill Road and North Washington Avenue area, sewer improvements are planned in accordance with a 25-year service timeline. Along South Willow Avenue, Ward said sewer expansion will continue under the city’s policy for unserved areas.
Major sewer infrastructure for the Bennet Road Extension area was completed in 2016, with additional extensions in 2018, 2022, and 2023, including service to the site of the new Putnam County Fairgrounds. In the Old Stewart Road area, Ward said improvements tied to the I-40 interchange and a 2022 extension have left only three parcels without sewer service. Sewer work has also been completed in the Mackie Road area.
“Street light installation is still pending and is being coordinated by Cookeville Energy with the Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative,” Ward said.
A public hearing on the annual report was held during Thursday’s City Council meeting. No residents spoke during the allotted time.