CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new proposal in Clarksville could shift oversight of the city’s Gas & Water Department from the City Council to a newly created five-member board, a move supporters say would streamline operations. But Councilwoman Wanda Smith is voicing concerns about the size of the board, the potential impact on ratepayers, and what she says is a lack of research before the city makes such a significant change.
The proposal — introduced by the Gas & Water director — mirrors the structure used by Clarksville’s electric utility, CDE. If approved, the board would take over key responsibilities currently held by the City Council, including policy decisions, customer service rules, and future rate adjustments.
Smith says the change would remove direct accountability from elected leaders and give a small group full control over decisions affecting more than 250,000 customers.
“We haven’t done the research”
In an interview with FOX 17 News, Smith said she met one-on-one with the director, who told her many department policies are outdated — some last updated in the late 1960s. She says the city should update those rules first and examine how similar boards operate in nearby communities…