| After a blitzkrieg by the Tellico Village CEO, Chet
Pillsbury, in an attempt to sell the idea of creating a Water Authority
Department in the village, Pillsbury and the POA have decided to cool
their jets on the idea, for now.
In an announcement from the board, they state that
they're going to take more time to study the issue. The fact is, it
wasn't likely they were going to be able to achieve the 51% vote of the
residents to move forward with the plan. It's also unlikely they could
even do it under current law.
See statement below.
WATER AUTHORITY
TIMELINE MODIFICATIONS
The Tellico Village Property Owners
Association Board of Directors has decided to postpone the
2024 water authority proposal to the Tennessee Legislature.
Our investigation into establishing a Water Authority will
continue. The Board and Administration still believes the
creation of a Water Authority is a very viable option to
address the funding of the necessary upgrades to the Village’s
aging water and sewer systems.
The rationale for postponing the water authority plan at
this time is that answers to clarifying questions directed
to state officials are taking longer than anticipated. Once
all these questions have been answered, the financial models
are in place and the Board has received consent of the
Property Owners, then and only then will the Board make a
final decision whether or not to submit the Water Authority
plan to the 2025 Legislative Session.
Further, we understand many in the community feel this is a
rushed activity while others understand the many
opportunities for funding this approach will provide. The
Administration acknowledges it is in the best interest of
Tellico Village to slow the process.
In the interim we will continue to build a strategic
business plan and financial models. Property Owner’s
questions will continue to be addressed and consent forms
will continue to be accepted.
The Board and Administration will be simultaneously
evaluating alternative means to fulfill the financial
requirements for the needed sewer and water improvements and
to ensure the funds are available to meet these needs. The
five-year plan calls for the commencement of the water and
sewer projects in 2025.
In the upcoming weeks, we will continue to update the
community on developments surrounding the water authority
and alternative means of financing the upgrades to the water
and sewer systems.
Sincerely,
TVPOA Board of Directors
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