Community Urges City Council to Pause on CPWS Water Rate Decision

Issue #641

January 07, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☁️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 70, low of 62

📰 Community Urges City Council to Pause on CPWS Water Rate Decision

📰 City of Columbia Releases 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Community Urges City Council to Pause on CPWS Water Rate Decision

Click the picture to watch the full meeting

Last night, the community turned out in force to make their voices heard during the Columbia City Council’s Special Study Session that included proposed CPWS rate increase. More than 600 people were tuned in to the live stream on YouTube as residents packed City Hall to share their concerns, questions, and personal stories.

By our count, 22 Maury County residents spoke during public comment, including County Mayor Sheila Butt, State Representative Scott Cepicky, County Commissioner Gabe Howard, and even Howard’s 11-year-old son, Jaxx. The speakers came from a wide range of backgrounds, but the common thread was a deep care for this community and a desire to be part of the conversation. We encourage you to at least watch the public comment section here (it begins at 1:49:30).

11-year-old Jaxx Howard reading his statement at City Hall

Here is the statement Mayor Butt shared this morning…

“WE THE PEOPLE” SPOKE . . . 

Last night many people in Maury County, including city residents, attended the City Council work session to ask the City Council to vote “No” or to vote to pause the CPWS rate increase. The final vote will be Thursday, January 8th.

I am sharing a recap of my comments from the meeting with you. Sometimes, elected officials forget who they represent and that’s when bureaucracy takes control. I am proud of the people who are engaging. 

Also, a comment was made that the city had tried to engage with the county about water issues and that the county would not. I want to correct that.

I have actually had the the water providers and an elected City Official in my office several times in the past 3 years trying to work toward true regionalism. CPWS was not interested in any other entity having a seat at the table. Nor have they shown any interest in any other possible solution that might benefit rate payers on economies of scale during the Duck River Water Plannng Partnership. 

Here is a recap of my comments last night:

We have heard so much information and believe there are still questions unanswered. 

Is there disenfranchisement of thousands of people in Maury County who have no representation on this Council?

Are there still conflicts of interest? Do the numbers add up to get only 12 million gallons of water a day? This is a short term fix going to be paid for over 30-40 years. Is this really the only option? 

Why is all of Maury County carrying the debt for an asset the city owns? Why are some citizens concerned about imminent domain? 

Why would you not wait for these questions to be answered and regional water feasibility studies for cost sharing purposes before taking on a 149% rate increase? Why not wait to see if their lobbyists get funding or grants? 

I know the household rate increases being presented by CPWS sound minimal. What about the hospital, the schools, small businesses, farmers? The costs to them add up exponentially and those costs will also be passed on to the citizens of Maury County, in every hospital visit, school, business, meal and even every cup of coffee. This is more than just an increase on our water bills. 

There are many questions still on the minds of the people of Maury County who are being asked to foot a very large bill, affecting 30-40 years of our lives.

My comments to all of you now are from one elected official to another.

When I sat in Nashville, I voted against the Governor’s agenda many times. Why? Because the people of Maury County asked me to.

Your responsibility tonight, as an elected official is to vote the way your people, the ones who sat you in those seats, want you to vote. You don’t represent CPWS, they have a Board for that. You don’t represent City leadership just like I didn’t represent Republican Leadership. 

I represented the people who voted for me. When we lose sight of that, we become politicians. 

When we assume that responsibility unapologetically and without strings attached, and listen to the voices of our constituents, then we are Statesman. 

I hope when you look in the mirror after every single meeting, and this meeting tonight, that you see a Statesman who represented his or her people well. 

-Mayor Sheila Butt

State Representative Scott Cepicky answered questions from the Council after the public comments. That begins at 2:51:00 but this video should play at that point.

The City of Columbia Council’s voting session will take place on Thursday at 5:30 PM. The public is welcome to attend.

City of Columbia Releases 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report

From the City of Columbia, TN - Government’s post…

The City of Columbia's 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is now available!

The PAFR highlights the City's annual financial information in an easy-to-read, informative format, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. 

The City of Columbia Finance Department takes its role as a steward of public funds seriously and remains dedicated to delivering effective, efficient, and stakeholder focused services through sound financial management.

The City of Columbia's Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) has earned the Government Finance Officers Association's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for seven consecutive years (2018-2024), highlighting the City's commitment to clear and accessible financial reporting.

Upcoming Local Events

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Thursday, January 8th

Friday, January 9th

Saturday, January 10th

Sunday, January 11th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, January 8th
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
Kit Bulla - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, January 9th
Beck & Call - The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Golden Soul Revue - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7–9 PM
Mary Lou - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Jordan Priest - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Saturday, January 10th
Winter Series - Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Alderson Jazz Collective - McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Krystal Kind - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM

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