BRADY FLANIGANStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously voted on Monday to improve retirement benefits for employees of the Duck River Utility Commission. By giving the commission the go-ahead to join the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), the board threw its support behind the workforce responsible for managing the region’s water supply.

The Duck River Utility Commission is a joint venture between Tullahoma and Manchester that’s been providing water to both cities since 1977. Its operations are overseen by a board with three representatives from each city. In effort to strengthen employee benefits, the commission sought to join TCRS, a state of Tennessee managed retirement system that provides specific benefits and cost-of-living adjustments for retirees. The commission will fully fund its share of contributions, ensuring the move doesn’t put extra financial strain on either city. 

Participating in TCRS requires both Tullahoma and Manchester to pass resolutions ensuring their share of potential liabilities. Manchester approved its resolution on Nov. 5, preluding Tullahoma’s decision on Monday. The plan demands employees contribute 2.5% of their pay, excludes part-time workers, and doesn’t grant credit for prior service, limiting financial risks and extending retirement benefits to staff. The move is designed to help the commission attract and keep workers by offering competitive retirement benefits. Set to take place the first of 2025, the new retirement plan aims to find an equilibrium between greater employee benefits, workforce retention, and fiscal responsibility.