CPWA Growth to be Largest County Water Provider

The Cumberland Plateau Water Authority Board meets every third Monday of each month. Even though yesterday was a holiday, CPWA met right on schedule. The Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA) was officially established on May 5, 2022, when the Private Act (House Bill 2907) was signed into law. I’ve been attending those formative meetings three years ago and I’m pleased to see the progress being made under Jeff Dyers, CPWA General Manager.

Key observations from last night’s meeting:

• record attendance – including personnel from the merged Crab Orchard, West, and South utility districts; developers and contractors; and a few interested citizens and customers
• lots of development in the works – several of many planned subdivision developments across the county shared their plans and challenges in providing water service
• general consensus that developments benefit by having the unified water services

If you haven’t been following Mayor Allen Foster’s updates or the articles in the Chronicle, check out the CPWA website.

Here’s an overview, provided by the general manager, Jeff Dyer.

Budget Update: Revenue Gains & Fuel Surpluses

January 2026 Committee Recap

The Budget Committee met on January 6th to review the financial health of our county. While many items were standard “housekeeping,” there are several key takeaways regarding our revenue and savings that every resident should know—especially as we prepare for the next fiscal year.

Looking Ahead: The 2026-27 Budget Cycle

While the January meeting handled current business, the committee will soon pivot toward a major milestone: The preparation of the 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget. Over the next few months, department requests will be reviewed, and the framework for our county’s spending for the next year will be built.

Stay Tuned! Decisions made in these upcoming spring meetings will set our local tax rates and funding priorities for 2027. You’ll find me there and I’ll share what I learn here in Craig’s Notes.

📈 Revenue is Trending Up

Current reports show that our primary income sources are performing better than historical averages for this time of year. Specifically, we are seeing strong numbers in:

• Property Tax Collections
• Hotel/Motel Tax (Tourism impact)
• Prisoner Boarding Fees

⛽ Big Savings: The Fuel Surplus

One of the most encouraging reports from the meeting was the Weighted Fuel Report. Because the actual cost of fuel has stayed significantly below our budgeted projections, the county is currently looking at a substantial budget surplus in this category.

🛠️ Budget Amendments: “Minor Cleanups”

The committee approved several amendments that will now move to the full Commission for a final vote. These included:

• Grant Incorporations: Formally adding received grant funds into the working budget.
• Minor Adjustments: General “cleanup” items to ensure line items match current departmental needs.

Why this matters: These amendments represent the first public posting of these items. Staying engaged with the Budget Committee meetings is the best way to see exactly how your tax dollars are being allocated before they reach the full Commission.

🔗 Stay Connected with County Mayor Allen Foster

The full Commission will act on these items at their next meeting. You can stay updated by using the following resources:

Mayor’s Recap: County Mayor Allen Foster provides detailed post-meeting reports at AllenFoster.com.

Official Agenda: View it on the County Website.

Stay Informed. Stay In Touch.

• Follow me on  Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
• Check this page regularly for new recaps and previews.
• Share posts with neighbors who might not be following local government.
• Send questions or topic ideas to Craig@CraigClark-District3.com or (931) 248‑2007.

Thanks for stopping by and for caring about what’s happening in Cumberland County and District 3.

Craig