By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Utility losing battle to take family farm
West Warren District told to be pay $108K
WWVUD-Jarrell
The Jarrell family holds a July 4 reunion hayride every year atop Flat Mountain. West Warren-Viola Utility District wants to divide the 200-acre farm by building a large water tank with an access road with an eight-foot high fence.
Over the past three years, West Warren-Viola Utility District has been embroiled in a bitter land dispute with the Jarrell family of Coffee County, leaving West Warren-Viola footing a bill of $108,000 for the family’s legal fees. This does not include the legal fees incurred by the utility district itself.The source of contention began in November, 2011 when West-Warren Viola received a $500,000 Community Block Development Grant to put toward a $3.7 million project that included a 1-million-gallon holding tank. The project was touted as a way to improve the water supply to Morrison School and to encourage future expansion at Mountain View Industrial Park.The site chosen for the water tank was a 5.75-acre portion of the Jarrell family property, a six-generation family farm located near Manchester atop Flat Mountain.