By Scott Pearson

Staff Writer

In a rare occurrence Tuesday night, Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham was called on to vote on a resolution in order to break a tie.

At issue was the approval of a $24,000 contract with HFR Design to perform preliminary engineering and design work on a renovation of the golf course irrigation system at the Lewisburg Recreation Center.

Councilmen Nicholas Tipper and Artie Allen both voted against the resolution. Councilmen Jerry Gordon and Steve Thomas voted in favor. Councilman Bam Haislip was absent, leaving a 2-2 deadlock for Bingham to break.

After a long pause, he voted in favor of allocating the funds for the study.

This project is included in the city's five-year capital improvements plan compiled by city department heads of equipment or infrastructure that would be needed or would need to be replaced within that period.

The irrigation system for the course is more than 40 years old and is no longer up to the task.

The initial wish list budgeted $600,000 for the project, but City Manager Randall Dunn said in later meetings that the real cost would probably be substantially lower.

The study would give the city a real dollar amount for what a replacement plan would actually cost.

Tipper also opposed the issuance of $2 million in capital outlay notes to fund the first two years of the capital plan.

"I spoke with a few people and I have no support from them to go through with this," said Tipper before his vote.

Tipper said later that, even after explaining the items included in that time frame, voters he spoke with did not change their opinions. "It's my duty to listen to (voters)," he said.

Major projects included in the first two years of the plan are renovation of the main fire hall, road paving, a training facility for the fire department, replacement of the irrigation system at the city's golf course, and construction of a splash pad.

"I ran on being a conservative and I'm trying to stick to that," Tipper said. "We have to be wise about borrowing and spending money."

Tipper also expressed concern about keeping the city's borrowing low in case of an emergency that required the city to seek funding.

Each separate project would still require a vote from the council to fund them, and support for all of the projects on the council is not certain.

Concerns have been expressed by councilmen about some of the projects, particularly the golf course irrigation system and splash pad.

"I feel it wouldn't benefit the general public," said Tipper, referring to investment in the golf course.

The city's finance advisors suggested moving to secure funding sooner rather than later based on increasing interest rates.

Rates have climbed from roughly 1.75 percent this summer to over 3 percent now. Issuing notes now would save the city money in the long run is rates continued to rise.

Councilmen approved the city's application for a Community Development Block Grant. CDBG funds are Federal dollars passed through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for smaller municipalities and counties in the state.

Eighty-five percent of grant funds awarded in Tennessee each year are spent on water and sewer projects, which is Lewisburg's intention as well.

If awarded, the grant would be used toward the replacement of sewer lines along Rock Creek in the Fairview Market and Yell Road/Cornersville Highway split area.

The state has placed a moratorium on further residential construction that would flow into this section of pipe, due to the susceptibility of overflow into Rock Creek.

Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe requested the deferral of several agenda items dealing with grant applications and payment in lieu of taxes requests connected with expansion plans for two existing Lewisburg companies. Both proposals are still waiting on cost estimates from the companies regarding needed infrastructure expansions before the council can vote on appropriating matching funds for the grant. The city and county would split the 11 percent matching amount for the infrastructure improvements.

Bingham also expressed regret at the passing of former Councilman Willie J. Mitchell. Mitchell served on the council for 12 years, and the agenda included planning a resolution in his honor for the February council meeting, but Mitchell passed on Monday, Jan. 9.