CROSSVILLE WATER MERGER REFERENDUM SPARKS FIERCE DEBATE AMONG OFFICIALS, UTILITIES, AND RESIDENTS
A recent local report connecting Crossville Mayor R.J. Crawford’s private real estate holdings to a proposed municipal water merger has ignited a sharp backlash from regional authorities, local leaders, and the mayor himself, who have denounced the claims as baseless speculation.
The controversy centers on a referendum and future city council vote regarding whether to transfer Crossville’s water and sewer assets to the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA). An investigative post suggested that Mayor Crawford—who holds a minority interest in Lake Holiday Owners, LLC, a private group owning the land beneath Lake Holiday—could hypothetically benefit from a water storage fee if the utility transfer goes through.
The Response: Denials and Pushback
The allegations have drawn swift, definitive pushback from key stakeholders across the community:
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Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA): In a strongly worded public statement, CPWA officials stated they have had zero discussions or negotiations regarding Lake Holiday, its ownership, or any potential storage fees. The authority criticized the report for relying on a chain of hypothetical “ifs” rather than concrete evidence, emphasizing that its merger discussions focus strictly on regional infrastructure, long-term water needs, and cost-sharing for ratepayers.
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Mayor R.J. Crawford: Dismissing the report as “fake news,” Mayor Crawford clarified that his minority stake in Lake Holiday Owners, LLC is simply a residential holding intended to preserve recreational access for his family and neighbors. He noted he has no intention or legal mechanism to charge holding fees, reiterating that the city’s existing legal rights to draw water would transfer directly to CPWA under a merger.
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Local Leadership & Legal Context: Prominent community leader and utility commissioner Steve Stone sharply criticized the allegations as a “fabricated lie,” echoing legal consensus. Legal experts and utility assessments note that under Tennessee water law, the state retains sovereignty over water resources, and existing municipal easements and state oversight under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) prevent private landowners from imposing storage fees on municipal water operations.
As the November voter referendum has begun, local officials and the CPWA are urging voters to focus on verifiable facts concerning regional infrastructure rather than speculative scenarios.
Only voters within the city limits of Crossville are permitted to vote on the referendum.
