Citizens oppose raising garbage fee, increase is tabled

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- At Tuesday afternoon’s monthly meeting of the LaFollette City Council, Resolution 2026-11, the refuse fee for the City of LaFollette was tabled. During the July workshop, the council discussed raising the refuse fee (garbage pick-up) from $10 to possibly $20 as suggested by Councilman Wayne Kitts.

Several citizens were present at Tuesday’s meeting to express their opposition to the proposed increase. First to speak was Brandon Johnson who said he felt it “would be a burden to some people and it looks like a tax increase”. Next was Joan Crutchfield, then Melissa Sharp and finally Carolyn Lindsey, all of the women opposed the increase.

Ordinance 2026-07 An Ordinance of the city of LaFollette, Tennessee establishing a Temporary (1) year moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for new data centers had a first reading. Resolution 2026-10- Authorizing the City of LaFollette to participate in PEP Risk Management Pool (Safety Partners) Loss Control Matching Grant Program was approved. Also approved was Resolution 2026-12 amending the 2026-27 budget. The amendment transfers funds from the special police fund to the general fund.

Brian Reynolds was appointed to the LaFollette E911 Board. An event permit for Common Ground Coffee Shop was approved for a fall festival in October.

The council approved a capital outlay note not to exceed 1.5 million dollars for ten years. The note will be used to purchase a new ladder truck for the fire department. The 2026 ladder fire truck will cost the city 1.3 million dollars; the original cost of the truck was 2.5 million dollars but is being offered to the city at a discounted price. This truck also has a longer ladder than the city’s current ladder truck. The newer truck could improve the city’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.

The public works department had three items approved. First was promoting Thomas Thompson to a full time Laborer effective Aug. 8, next was approval to solicit bids for repairing/paving city right of way on Nevada Avenue and last was the approval to solicit bids for guardrail on Depot St. and Claiborne Rd. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/05/2026-6AM)