By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The LaFollette Utility Board held its workshop and meeting on Monday evening, approving tree trimming bids for the Sweet Gum Flats circuit 244 area. This includes 39.95 miles and is an area that touches Roses Creek, portions of White Oak, Clairfield, and Pruden.

The area scheduled to be trimmed has not been done in about ten years.

According to LaFollette Utility General Manager Regina Kennedy, the tree trimming will be cut “earth to sky” which includes everything being cleared in the right of way path. It will either be a 20 foot right of way or a 30 foot right of way “depending on if it is a single phase or a three phase.”

The bid was awarded to Mid South Power, which was the only bidder out of three to actually meet the bid specifications, according to Kennedy. 

The bid is for $649,316.30. 

“We received three bids, but the other two did not meet the bid specifications and it fell within the amount that we are currently paying our contractors, so it wasn’t out of range,” Kennedy said.

It is expected for the project to start in 30 to 45 days.

LaFollette Utility Board members also approved a resolution for the utility to participate in a Property Conservation matching grant. It is a 50-percent reimbursement and the max amount of the grant is $2,500. The utility plans to use the grant on security upgrades at the sewer plant.

The next LUB workshop is Monday, September 29, at 6 pm, with the meeting scheduled to follow immediately after. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/27/2025-6AM)

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