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From the Desk of the Commish
I hope you all found time to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall. Below is a picture I took on a drive down the Natchez Parkway on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Now here we are and it seems Christmas is just around the corner.
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This past month has been a very busy one but also extremely fulfilling. I was honored to join several other members of the District 5 community at the Inaugural Citizens Fire Academy with Nolensville Fire & Rescue. The training and dedication it takes to serve our community as a first responder is both impressive and admirable.
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If you don't have plans this weekend, join me at the Veteran's Day Parade in Nolensville set to begin at 11:00am. More info can be found here.
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To all those who have selflessly served our country and our communities!
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County Debt/Budget
Last month we saw two bonds totaling $106,960,000 come before the commission. After extensive debate regarding the growing debt and our ability to fund the capital projects that are planned for, the commission voted to approve both resolutions.
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- Vote for $92,440,000 (Resolution 10-23-12) - 14 - Yes, 5 - No, 1 - Abstain
- Vote for $14,520,000 (Resolution 10-23-13) - 16 - Yes, 3 - No, 1 - Abstain
Fast forwarding to 01:27:00 to hear the debate over the bonds at the last County Commission meeting.
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What you will find is that a majority of our Commission do not appear to be interested in finding ways to lower our debt since we have a large tax base to draw from when needed. What this ultimately means is that property taxes will go up once the new assessments are completed in 2025.
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On November 2, 2023, the Mayor called a special meeting of the Commission with the Budget Director and Bond Investment Advisor to discuss the debt and potential revenue streams. Highlights from the session:
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- Estimated total debt is $1.1 billion (2nd highest in the state) - It has doubled since 2018.
- Estimated revenue for 2023 is estimated to be $800,000,000 (6th highest in state)
- Estimated Debt Per Capita is $3500 (2nd highest in the state)
- Estimated Expenditure Per Capital is $3600 (5th highest in the state)
- Estimated Debt Service Expense in 2026 will exceed $100,000,000 (12.5% of current budget)
Schools
It was recently brought to the attention of the County Commission that Vogue Towers LLC has been granted at least 4 contracts to install their 5G cell towers at various locations across the county. According to their website, there is a tower to be placed at every school. Without stronger regulations, these towers will continue to pop-up across our county with outdated research on the impact of this emerging technology on the population. Thankfully, a group of parents in the area of Trinity Elementary brought this to the attention of the Commissioners in order to find a way to address their concerns while still providing much needed telecommunications to our growing population.
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Other Notable Items
There is a resolution this month to purchase WAKM 950 AM from the current owner under the guise of improved communications in the event of an emergency where county residents find themselves without access to cell service, internet, electricity or any other means of communication. While this may seem like a good idea, there are no other counties we have been notified of that have access to their own government owned radio stations
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- If you feel that purchasing a commercial radio station is not the role of government.
- If you want to support stronger local regulations against 5G cell towers in close proximity to schools and residential areas.
- If you want the Commission to focus on ways to save money and reduce debt to avoid potential property tax increases.
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UPCOMING RESOLUTIONS
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- PUBLIC HEARING -— Regarding Resolution No. 11-23-3, Resolution to Amend Section 11.03(B)(10) of the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Family Subdivisions
- Resolution No. 11-23-3, Resolution to Amend Section 11.03(B)(10) of the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Family Subdivisions — Commissioner Clifford
- Resolution No. 11-23-4, Resolution for Inter-Category Adjustment of $15,532,302 for Approved Raise for the 2023-24 Budget Year —- Commissioner Tunnicliffe
- Resolution No. 11-23-5, Resolution Requesting the Williamson County Board of County Commissioners’ Approval of $1,124,990 for the Purchase of Buses for the 2023-24 School Year — Commissioner Tunnicliffe
- Resolution No. 11-23-6, Resolution Requesting the Williamson County Board of County Commissioners” Approval of $1,170,000 for the Purchase of Radios for the 2023-24 School Year —Commissioner Tunnicliffe Resolution No. 11-23-7,
- Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 County General Budget by $68,927.49 — Revenues to Come From Victim Assessment Fees - Commissioner Sanford
- Resolution No. 11-23-8, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Sign a Contract with the State of Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts on Behalf of the Juvenile Court and Amending the 2023-24 Juvenile Court Budget by $2,500 — Revenues to Come From State Grant Funds —Commissioner Sanford
- Resolution No. 11-23-9, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor To Execute Agreement with Certain Organizations Providing Opioid Remediation and Abatement Services and Appropriating Funds for Those Services — Appropriations to Come From Opioid Abatement Funds — Commissioner Morton
- Resolution No. 11-23-10, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute an Agreement to Purchase the Broadcast Radio Station License Commonly Known as WAKM-950 AM in Franklin, Tennessee — Commissioner Webb
- Resolution No. 11-23-12, Resolution to Permit the Temporary Serving of Alcohol at the Williamson County Library for the Williamson County Library Foundation’s Fundraising Event — Commissioner Webb
- Resolution No. 11-23-13, Resolution to Surplus and Approve the Conveyance of Various Radio Equipment to the Town of Nolensville and Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute all Documentation Needed to Complete the Conveyance — Commissioner Sanford
- Resolution No. 11-23-14, Resolution Declaring Certain County-Owned Weapons and Miscellaneous Parts, Personal Property and Equipment Surplus to be Exchanged with a Licensed and Qualified Law Enforcement Weapons Dealer ~- Commissioner Sanford
- Resolution No. 11-23-15, Resolution to Overrule the Denial of the City of Franklin Planning Department’s Action Regarding the New Williamson County Archives Building - Commissioner Hayes
- Resolution No. 11-23-16, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor To Execute a Lease Agreement with Resolve Diagnostics LLC for the use of a Facility to Provide Drug Testing Services — Commissioner Hayes
- Resolution No. 11-23-17, Resolution to Name the Bridge Located on Robinson Road North of Leipers Creek Road Located in Williamson County as the “Fred ‘Pete’ Davis Memorial Bridge” for his Many Years of Service to the Boston Community, Williamson County and its Citizens - Commissioner Hayes
- Resolution No. 11-23-18, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Notice and Nominations for Vacancies — Commissioner Mary Smith
- Resolution No. 11-23-19, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning the Date and Time of the Board of Commissioners’ Regularly Scheduled Meeting — Commissioner Mary Smith
- Resolution No. 11-23-20, Resolution Amending The Rules, Regulations And Procedures Of The Williamson County Board Of Commissioners to Establish a Legislative Standing Committee to Review, Study and Monitor State Legislation Related to Local Governments — Commissioner Mary Smith
- LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-23-22, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a 2023-24 Grant Agreement with the State of Tennessee Department of Health for the Provision of Dental Services at the williamson County Health Department in an Amount Not to Exceed $175,800 — Commissioner Hester
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REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE…There is a new way to recycle mattresses in Williamson County and to save them from going into the landfill. Click here for more details.
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The next meeting will be November 13th at 7:00pm at the County Administrative Building. If you are unable to attend in person, you can always view virtually by going to the WC-TV website.
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The public is now invited to give input at any County Committee Meeting. Click here to see the full list of Committees and when the meet.
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You can find the most up to date public notices including County Commission, Planning Committee and Election Committee meetings here.
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