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Wlaf1450LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Yesterday afternoon, at its regular monthly workshop, members of the LaFollette City Council discussed the six acres of land in front of the proposed sports complex beside Bojangles. It appears the sports complex is moving forward with a possible groundbreaking in April 2027. The total cost for the project is five million dollars with half of the money coming from a grant and the remainder will come from equity of the property. The complex will utilize 12 acres, leaving six acres on the front of the property to be developed. The city has owned the property since 2008. Councilman Wayne Kitts would like to see the six acres marketed for commercial development.
TOP PHOTO: The land being discussed sits along the four lane between the UT Medical Clinic at Independence Lane and Bojangles as seen in this photo from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson.
Councilman Chuck Queener discussed a vacancy on the E911 Board. Queener reported there was only one applicant, Brian Reynolds, and he would like to move forward with Reynolds for the board.
The city has an opportunity to purchase a 2026 ladder fire truck for $1.3 million; the original cost of the truck is $2.5 million. This truck also has a longer ladder than the city’s current ladder truck. The council will need to decide next Tuesday whether to purchase the truck or not.
At next Tuesday’s monthly meeting the council will vote on an event permit for Common Ground Coffee Shop with Joey St. John representing Common Ground. The permit is for a fall festival to take place on the sidewalks and Freeman Corner on Sat., Oct. 3.
The Public works department will have three items on the agenda to be voted on at the monthly meeting. Beginning with promoting Thomas Thompson to a full time laborer effective Aug. 8. The right of way on Nevada Avenue has a sidewalk on it that needs to be removed and asphalt put in its place, the council will vote on putting the item out for bid. There are two areas in the city that need additional guardrail, Depot St. and Claiborne Rd., the council will decide next Tuesday about putting this item out for bid as well.
The council discussed the issue of mattress disposal in the city. The city has picked up close to 100 mattresses recently and the county charges $5 per mattress for disposal. As a result of this issue the city is considering raising garbage fees from $10 to $20.
Resolution 2026-10 authorizing the City of LaFollette to participate in the PEP Risk Management Pool (Safety Partners) Loss Control Matching Grant Program is done yearly and Ordinance 2026-07 establishing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for new data centers will be on the agenda for a vote as well. By having a temporary moratorium this will give the city time to consult with TVA and LUB as well as look at the impact of data centers to the area. During this time no applications will be accepted in the city. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/28/2026-6AM)
I don’t see the fairness of doubling everyone’s trash pickup because 100 people didn’t pay for their mattresses to be picked up.
I don’t see the fairness of doubling everyone’s trash pickup because 100 people failed to pay for their mattresses to be picked up. They should have paid or they shouldn’t have been picked up.
I respectfully disagree with doubling the garbage fee from $10 to $20. Many of us already pay our bill on time, take care of our own property, and even haul off larger items like mattresses ourselves. It doesn’t seem fair for responsible residents to bear the cost because of problems caused by others. Please consider other solutions before placing this burden on every household. Many families are already struggling with rising costs, and another increase on the utility bill will only make it harder.