LUB Water Department scores 594 out of 599 in latest inspection

LaFollette Utility Board approves tree trimming bids, COLA, other business

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The LaFollette Utility Board met Monday evening for its May workshop and meeting, approving tree trimming bids, a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), among other business items.

After discussion during the workshop, the board approved to increase the cost-of-living adjustment for employees from the previous 3-percent that had been projected to 4-percent to reflect the federal COLA.

Board Chairman Jay Willoughby spoke about the cost-of-living adjustment, saying the utility needed to adjust its financial plan and to go with what the federal government was projecting for a cost-of-living adjustment closer to 4-percent.

Willoughby said it was oil prices that were driving these increases.

“I know there has been 3-percent plugged in for next year. Social Security is projecting roughly 4 percent. I have not checked with any of our neighbors to see what they are doing. I know Jellico went 5-perccent. But I think as a board we need to stay close to those federal guidelines and be fair to our employees and provide a fair cost of living. As chairman, I can’t make a motion, but I wanted to throw that out there before the board,” Willoughby said.

When it was brought up again during the meeting, Joe Snodderly made a motion to do it at 4 -percent for all employees. Jerry Brown seconded it, and the COLA increase at 4-percent was approved.

During the workshop while cost of living adjustments were being discussed, Willoughby also brought up a letter he had received from two employees regarding COLA from last year.

“A year or so ago, we had two employees transferred from one department to another. When they moved over, their earnings were already higher than the department they were moved into. Their wages were in close proximity to what their supervisors were. Due to that, those employees did not receive a cost-of-living adjustment. In June of last year, I made a motion that all eligible employees receive a 3-percent increase. We have a board policy that says all employees will receive a cost-of-living adjustment. These employees did not receive that COLA. The board did not make the decision to move them over into that position. The manager should follow the board policy. Board policy was that all employees get COLA and, from my understanding, they are not going to receive it for several years, until other’s wages go up. I think we have an obligation to pay these gentlemen for their COLA. I think management needs to come up with a plan to look at the scales of that department to fix the imbalance. There is no such thing as a small right or a small wrong. Not following board policy was wrong. There needs to be a solution,” Willoughby said. LUB Attorney Reid Troutman said he had just received the letters from Willoughby and gave copies to the other board members who said they wanted to know more about the situation before a decision of how to fix it could be made.

Board member Jerry Brown said he would like to know more about what happened when the transfer occurred.

“Were they transferred against their will or had they requested the transfer, there’s more we need to know about this,” Brown said.

This issue will be discussed again at the next board meeting.

During the LUB meeting, tree trimming bids for right of way on Speedwell Circuit 234 were approved. This was for 60.9 miles of area that needs trimmed. Five companies attended the pre-bid meeting and three companies bid on the job. Bids were turned in from Baird Tree Trimming for $1,277,316, W.A. Kendall and Company LLC bid $925,736.64 and MidSouth Power Services Inc. bid $735,670.

The utility board approved MidSouth Power as the low bidder at $735,670.

According to LaFollette Utility Board Interim General Manager Keith Adkins, this price is in line with what the utility pays for trimming and he recommended approval.

Also approved was a change order for the State Route 63 waterline project.

According to Adkins, the change order shows an increase of $327,935 due to a cost increase for materials needed and cost increase in shipping of materials.

“This is for the unit price modifications,” according to Adkins. Some of these changes included upgrading from 4-inch lines to 6-inch lines.

Other business approved included the purchase of a 55′ Terex Bucket Truck from Scott Powerline at a cost of $261,771.64. The utility had ordered the truck in October of last year and the truck is ready to be delivered now, according to Adkins.

In other business, the board approved Debbie Goins to replace Donna Claxton on the Operation Roundup board.

“We had Donna Claxton resign her seat on the Operation Roundup board. Debbie Goins, a realtor in the area, was asked to serve on that board. She is active in the community and would be a great addition, so I am recommending she serve a five-year term on that board,” Adkins said.

At the end of the meeting, Adkins reported to the board that, so far, 14 resumes have been turned in for the utility’s general manager position. Interviews could possibly start as early as June 10th. 

The next LUB meeting is scheduled for Mon., June the 29, with the workshop beginning at 6pm and the meeting to follow immediately after. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/02/2026-6AM)