John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Finance Committee addressed during the Oct. 15 meeting a plan of action to replace Old National Bank with one of the city’s local banks.

Finance Director Anthony Burrows said that his department has had problems with the bank since the recent transition from CapStar Bank.     

“We’ve had a lot of issues with Old National Bank,” said Burrows. “It’s become a real problem. I wanted to put forth to the committee that we seek out a new bank.”

City Senior Accountant Kelley Weber said the bank was not user friendly.

“We have issues with trying to process wires, taking longer than it should,” Weber said.

The city has approximately $13 million in pool cash accounts, with $3.2 million in American Recovery Plan money.  

Burrows said the city has in the past done business with all of the local banks, vetting each one. 

Vice Mayor Mark Messick said Burrows should continue the vetting process he had begun. Messick urged Burrows to be sure to include all of the local banks.

“I think every local bank should be considered,” he said.

Burrows suggested each bank be given the opportunity to present a brief proposal at a subsequent meeting.

Burrows’ review is anticipated for the November Finance Committee meeting and the matter should go before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during the December meeting.  

Coffee County Bank representatives were at the meeting.

REC Center gets preapproval for new chiller

Manchester Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Becki Johnson approached the Finance Committee with an early request for just shy of $400,000 to replace an industrial air conditioning system, a chiller, next year.

The lead time on the unit is eight months. The manufacturer, TRANE, needs a purchase order to begin manufacturing, but the funds won’t be allocated until the 2025-26 budget.

The repair is part of a five-year plan of needed repairs to the complex.

The chiller will cost approximately $326,000 plus two chilled water pumps $26,000 for a total of $395.916. 

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.