The Crossville City Council meeting on March 10, 2026, began at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers after a brief Beer Board session and a public hearing on annexations. Following the call to order, roll call confirmed all members present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Chris Palmer, the presentation of colors by the Young Marines, and the Pledge of Allegiance.

During public comment, several residents addressed the council. One speaker opposed any resolution or negotiations to transfer or share Crossville’s water assets (including raising Meadow Park Lake) with the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA), arguing the Authority lacks an alternative supply, the proposal stems from desperation ahead of contract expiration in 2027, and any such deal should involve fair compensation rather than a giveaway. He also claimed the related agenda item (26-0105) violated Tennessee’s Sunshine Law by lacking sufficient description and should be pulled from consent as non-routine.

During item 5L on the agenda, City Council considered a non-binding initial resolution to authorize fact-finding discussions and negotiations with CPWA. This step would allow staff and council to explore options—ranging from partnerships (potentially avoiding asset transfers) to full mergers—without committing the city to any action, sale, or transfer.

At last week’s work session, Jeff Dyer, General Manager of the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority, had framed regionalization as beneficial for ratepayers through economies of scale, better debt servicing for infrastructure, addressing aging systems, and meeting future/regulatory demands.