Advised that they were endangering the county's Three Star Community status by not following their own "growth plan," RBS city council members reversed field on two annexation ordinances that were presumed dead following their last meeting in December.

With Jimmy Roark casting the only "no" votes last Thursday night, the council adopted ordinances annexing property on the Carthage Road southeast of the current city limits and on Whitaker Circle to the east of town on first reading.

A dozen property owners appeared to protest the annexation of their property into the city, but to no avail. The annexation will incorporate the property of nine individuals on the Carthage Road, running out southeast of town as far as Gann's Body Shop and Macon Automotive.

On Whittaker Circle, off Hwy. 52-east, seven more property owners will be included by the annexation.

"We've got to take in what's in the growth plan, or face losing eligibility for Community Development Block Grants and loan limits," explained Mayor Kenneth Hollis.

Earlier in the meeting, Macon County Three-Star committee chairperson Linda McCrary had implored the council members to take the actions necessary for the county to retain its status as a Governor's Three-Star community.

"The county and both of the cities must meet the challenges set by the state for planning and infrastructure, and for leadership development," said Ms. McCrary. To retain Three-Star status the county and city mayors must attend one leadership training/education seminar session per year, offered by the University of Tennessee sponsored MTAS or CTAS (municipal and county Technical Assistance Service) programs.

In addition, one member of the municipal legislative body (city council) must complete Level 1 or 2 of the MTAS Elected Officials Academy.

Ms. McCrary suggested that Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs could join together and request MTAS visit the county for the 10-16 hours of training necessary.

Retaining the "Benchmark III" Three-Star program incentives will keep the county and cities in the highest eligibility category to receive $30,000 in matching Priority Grants, and the highest loan and grant limits available under the Community Development Block Grant program.

In other business the council offered a proposal to Nestle Waters North America... Shawn Edmondson to charge the bottling plant $7.50 per thousand gallons to treat their raw sewage, and $2 per thousand gallons to treat their RO (reverse osmosis) waste water, if and when that is necessary.

Nestle has dual lines running from its water intake on Salt Lick Creek and intends to discharge the pure but high in mineral content RO water back into the creek, rather than running it to the city's sewer plant. This will reduce a high volume problem for the city's sewer plant, which has been using as much as 70 percent of its capacity to treat water that does not need treatment.

However, this change could also reduce the city's revenues from treating Nestle wastewater by close to $300,000 per year.

"The 'gravy train' on sewer revenue is coming to an end, no matter what we do," said Mayor Kenneth Hollis at a pre-meeting discussion with Nestle representatives. Hollis suggested proposing a $7.50 rate on Nestle's true raw sewage treatment, and $2 per thousand gallons on the RO water should the state require it be treated.

Nestle's Shawn Edmondson said he would take the proposal back to plant manager Mark Smidebush for his consideration, and negotiations with the city will continue.

The city council also authorized RBS Police Chief Terry Tuck to hire Junior Fields to replace Patrolman Stacy Woodard, who has been employed by the Lafayette Police Department.

Councilman Roark protested that the council should have two weeks notice of new hires. Nevertheless, Fields was hired on a 90-day probationary period at a pay rate of $12.90/hr.