Town Council Approves Budget; Reverses Zoning Action

By DAVID QUESENBERRY

Patriot Publishing 

The Pulaski Town Council approved the budget for FY 2026-2027 at its Tuesday night meeting, but unexpectedly reversed a previous decision concerning the zoning definition for temporary housing shelters.

Council unanimously approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year which is appropriated as follows: General Fund, $11,492,295; Water Fund, $4,157,399; Sewer Fund, $5,039,841, and Solid Waste Expenditures, $845,000. In an additional action, Council approved the rate schedule for sewer service for the upcoming year.

In a related matter, Council conducted a public hearing on the water rates proposed for the next year. Town Manager Todd Day said that the hearing for the water rates had to be re-advertised due to an error in the first advertisement for the public hearing.

He told Council that increases of 25 percent were estimated for the water rates over the next three consecutive years and was advertised as such.

“The reason for the aggressive rate hike,” Day said, “is to obviously assure our citizens that they have water in the future. It’s just to upgrade a plant that’s severely deteriorating.”

Day said that the Town’s water quality, “was still above board” and that the Town had just been given another award for water quality. After his remarks, Day read the proposed rate schedule for water service.

Pulaski Mayor Shannon Collins read the advertisement into the public record and then opened the public hearing to receive comments.

Melinda Musick strongly objected to the proposed rates in light of the current situation faced by residents in Town dealing with the rising cost of living and increases in taxation.

Brian Martin, who had recently moved to the Town, told Council that he could not see a justification for a water rate increase.

After these remarks the hearing was closed. Council will be voting on the proposed rates at its June 16^th meeting.

Council next discussed the definition of a “temporary housing shelter.”

The definition as proposed by the Planning Commission is “A facility that provides short-term residential accommodations to individuals or families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, along with supportive services as specified in the special exception approval. Such facilities typically operate continuously; however, occupancy shall be limited to a maximum period of 120 days occurring between November 1 and February 28.”

As proposed by the Planning Commission, the use would be permitted by special exception in the Town’s R-1, R-2, R-3, RO, B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts. A special exception is a use permitted in a zoning district under certain conditions which must be considered by public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Town Council. Council has the final say if the use is adopted or not and under what conditions the use is allowed.

Manager Day told the Council he felt the definition as drafted had areas that need to be negotiated or worked out, which would take time. One example mentioned was allowing the use in a number of zoning districts which included most of the Town. He felt that “due diligence” was required with regards to consideration of the definition. Day said he wanted to talk to his team and his attorneys to come up with a “code that’s absolutely going to accomplish what everybody wants to accomplish.” He also told Council that 90 percent of the issues involved would come under Building Inspection and the Fire services.

Councilman Joel Burchett described adopting the definition as “a step in the wrong direction.” He said, “If we proceed with this, we are setting up language to allow these facilities to be in residential areas. They could be in anyone’s here; beside their home. What will that do to home values? What will the people living there do? I articulated last time how I felt. As a matter of fact, I go one step further. I want to put a motion to Council to recind the vote that we took approving this and render it null and void. That’s my motion.”

Burchett’s motion was seconded by Councilman Jeremy Clark. Councilman Steve Erickson said that only a definition was under discussion. He thought that things could drag on until another cold season approached with nothing still done. “I just hope we take the same effort and energy for everything that we’re going to try to change,” he said. Issues of this kind, he felt would get pushed aside for other development projects as the issue was dragged out over time.

After discussion Council approved Burchett’s motion to rescind its previous action on the definition by a vote of five to two.

Pulaski Police Chief William Kelly informed Council that the Police Department had received an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for $25,000 that may be applied to equipment or technology that enhances public safety. The funds will be applied towards purchase of the Southern software records management software to allow the Department’s staff and officers in the field access to the information and various databases of the County’s 911 Dispatch Center. Cost of the software is $100,000 spread across two fiscal years toward which the grant funds may be applied. The grant requires an in-kind local match of $8,333.

Chief Kelly complemented Assistant Chief Mike Parmelee for his initiative and team work in securing the grant for the Town. After the presentation, Council unanimously approved a resolution appropriating the grant funds into the budget.

Council also heard presentations from two community agencies. Brandon Phillips, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Center reviewed the recent and current activities of the Center’s work in the town. Phillips thanked the Council for their support as the Center seeks to expand and maintain its service to the community. Monica Musick, Pulaski Transit Manager briefed Council on the current operation of the Pulaski Area Transit and its supporting activities.

The next scheduled meeting of the Pulaski Town Council will be at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in the Council Chambers of the Town Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W.