The March 3, 2026, work session of the Crossville City Council, held at 5:00 PM in Conference Room 317 at City Hall, covered a range of appointments, presentations, discussions, and potential action items.

However, a key focus was a detailed presentation from Jeff Dyer, General Manager of the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA), accompanied by City Attorney Randy York. Dyer highlighted CPWA’s mission to secure long-term water supply, provide reliable drinking water at sustainable rates, and achieve economies of scale through regional cooperation. He noted recent successful mergers with Crab Orchard, West Cumberland, and South Cumberland utilities, resulting in over 17,000 customers, reduced operating costs, no debt, and tangible benefits like rate reductions. He emphasized shifting from fragmented systems to unified management, infrastructure investment, and long-term planning.

The discussion centered on Resolution 1, a non-binding initial step authorizing formal negotiations with CPWA regarding potential transfer or merger of the city’s water system assets (including infrastructure, property, equipment, contracts, and employees). Dyer stressed this resolution only enables exploratory discussions, not any sale or commitment; any final deal would require further negotiation, resolution of bond obligations, full council approvals, and likely a referendum. He framed regionalization as a ratepayer-focused opportunity to address aging infrastructure, regulatory demands, and future water needs, independent of specific projects like raising Meadow Park Lake dam.

Randy York explained legal complexities unique to Crossville (a municipality, unlike prior utility district mergers), including charter provisions potentially triggering a mandatory referendum for certain transfers involving Meadow Park Lake or long-term control/leases. He outlined scenarios where partnerships might avoid referendums (e.g., retaining city ownership/control, short-term/temporary arrangements) versus mergers that would require voter approval.

He urged full disclosure of assets and obligations, highlighted tight timelines such as the August 5 deadline for November referendum inclusion, involving significant preparation, bond counsel, and potential costs, and noted big upcoming bond payments. Discussions touched on dam height options (15-20 feet), property acquisition/condemnation challenges, funding prospects (better via regionalization), and a realistic 12-month transition if approved.

Council members asked clarifying questions on timelines, alternatives to Meadow Park Lake, funding advantages, referendum implications (non-binding on proceeding even if approved), and partnership vs. merger details.