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PROPERTY TAX UPDATE
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At the November County Commission meeting, the County Tax Assessor provided an update on property appraisals and their potential impact on property taxes. The big takeaway was that across Williamson County, property values—both residential and commercial—are expected to rise by an average of 55%. This means some may see their taxes decrease if their assessment is lower than the average, while others could see an increase if their property value rises more than 55%. Please see the below picture as an example.
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New assessments will be released in January, followed by the setting of the certified tax rate, which ensures that property tax revenue stays at the same level as the previous year. The County Commission will then review expected revenues for 2025 to determine if a property tax rate increase is warranted.
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As many of you know, I strongly oppose any tax hike without completing a thorough review of current spending and cost-saving opportunities. Our county's priorities must include ensuring that county employees—particularly educators and law enforcement—receive competitive market salaries, while also ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to meet our community's needs.
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I will continue working to prevent a tax increase that could burden families already facing financial challenges. More updates will follow in the coming months.
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Looking for School Board Information ...
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Donna Clements, School Board Member for District 8, has a monthly newsletter to inform our community on what the school board will be voting. To sign up, click here.
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Margie Johnson, School Board Member for District 8, is still working on her newsletter. When this becomes available, I will be sure to also include the link to sign up.
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Financial Status (as of 9/30/2024)
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Total Direct Debt (incl Hospital)
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Principal = $1,097,740,000
Principal + Interest = $1,458,321,059
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Total Net Direct Debt (excl Hospital)
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Key Updates from the November County Commission Meeting:
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- Updating County Rules for Professionalism and Transparency
Several of the Rules Resolutions were pulled prior to being presented. Of those that were voted on, there were several that limited the time of presentations to the Commission to ensure we stay focused on current business. There was also a change to rules regarding public comment during Public Hearings for zoning. This change will require public comment to be germane to the zoning request being proposed.
- Request for State Tax Revenue Reimbursement
This was passed unanimously. If it is passed by our state legislators, this could bring up to $14,000,000 in one-time revenue to our county.
- Funding for Community Needs and Recreational Services
The resolution for the turf practice field at Brentwood Middle School was withdrawn by the sponsor. However, I anticipate that various school needs will be raised during our upcoming budgeting process. On November 25th, the Education Committee will receive the School Board's 5-year Capital Improvements Plan, and this is the key opportunity to discuss and prioritize those needs. If you are aware of any specific issues or needs in our schools, please share them with me so that they can be included in the discussion and considered for approval by the School Board prior to coming to the Commission.
- Addressing the County's Debt Load
There are no updates regarding the bond resolutions approved by the Commission in our September and October meetings. Once the bonds are purchased and we have the finalized interest rate, we will be able to determine the impact on next fiscal year's debt service. We estimate an increase of approximately $25 million. Adding this to our current debt service budget of $93 million, the total debt service for the coming year is projected to exceed $120 million.
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Emergency Communications Board Districts 3 & 12
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Filling Unexpired Term, Expiring 3/27
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Nomination: Mallory Ricci
24 - Y, 0 - N
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Beer Board Northeast Section
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Term Expiring: Charlie Fox, III
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Nomination: Charlie Fox, III
24 - Y, 0 - N
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Beer Board Northeast Section
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Nomination: Laurel Aiello
24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-1, (formerly Resolution No. 9-24-1 and 10-24-1), Resolution Reaffirming the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning the Introduction of Resolutions to Committee by Williamson County Commissioners — Commissioner Richards
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5 - Y (Smith, Sturgeon, Hayes, Torres, Richards), 19 - N
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Initially, I voted "No" on this resolution due to concerns raised in the Rules Committee about efficiency and the timely submission of resolutions for Committee discussion. However, I do recognize that there are gaps in how the parliamentary process currently handles the introduction of resolutions. Moving forward, I am committed to addressing these efficiency challenges in order to promote greater transparency and ensure stronger adherence to the legislative process.
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Resolution No. 11-24-30, (formerly Resolution No. 9-24-54, 10-24-2), Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Grant an Easement to Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation Commissioner Stressor
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16 - Y, 8 - N (M. Smith, Sturgeon, Hayes, Graves, Sanford, O'Neil, Torres, Williams)
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While it's disappointing that the tower was allowed to remain within the new setback, the County Attorney advised that rejecting this resolution could lead to legal action by the tower company or result in less practical and more intrusive alternatives. The lease can only be revisited when it comes up for renewal, which based on the execution date of 3/23/2025 would March of 2026.
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APPROPRIATIONS
Resolution No. 11-24-4, Resolution for Inter-Category Adjustment of $16,781,543 for Approved Raise for the 2024-25 Budget Year — Commissioner Herbert 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-5, Resolution Amending the 2024-25 General Purpose School Fund Budget $1,461,000 for the Purchase of Buses — Commissioner Herbert 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-6, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 General Sessions Budget — Revenues Received in Prior Fiscal Year for State of Tennessee and Unappropriated County General Fund Balance — Commissioner Herbert 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-7, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 Sheriff's Office Budget by $127,200 — Revenues to Come from Law Enforcement Training Program — Commissioner Tunnicliffe 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-8, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into a Letter of Agreement with the State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration and Appropriating and amending the 2024-25 Sheriff’s Office Budget by $190,136 — Commissioner Herbert 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-9, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into a Grant Contract with the Tennessee State Museum on Behalf of the Williamson County Archives and Museum and Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 Archives and Museum Budget by $30,492 — Revenues to Come From State Grant Funds - Commissioner Webb 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No, 11-24-10, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 Library Budget by $2,500 Revenues to Come from Donations and Memorials Commissioner Webb
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Resolution No. 11-24-11, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 Library Budget by $27,400 — Revenues to Come from Donations and Memorials — Commissioner Webb 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-12, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter into a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and Appropriating and Amending the 2024-25 Office of Public Safety Budget Not to Exceed $450,000 — Commissioner Tunnicliffe 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-13, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute Agreements with Certain Organizations Providing Opioid Remediation and Abatement Services and Appropriating Funds for those Services — Appropriations to Come from Opioid Abatement Funds — Commissioner Herbert 24 - Y, 0 - N
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LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-24-35, Resolution Authoring a Grant Contract Between Williamson County, Tennessee and the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council of Behalf of the Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court and Amending the 2024-25 Veterans Treatment Court Budget by $120,677 — Revenues to Come from Grant Funds — Commissioner Webb 24 - Y, 0 - N
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LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-24-36, Resolution Authorizing a Grant Contract Between Williamson County, Tennessee and the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Corrections Institute on Behalf of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Amending the 2024-25 Sheriff's Office Budget by $14,998.50 Revenues to Come from Grant Funds Commissioner Webb 24 - Y, 0 - N
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OTHER
Resolution No. 11-24-2, Resolution to Comply with Tennessee Open Meetings Act TCA 8-44-110 in regard to Compliance of Agenda Publication of Public Meetings 48 Hours in Advance ~ Commissioner Richards - PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-3, Resolution to Request Funding for a Turf Field at Brentwood Middle School to be Included in the 2025-26 Williamson County Budget — Commissioner Richards - PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-14, Resolution Requesting the 114 Session of the Tennessee General Assembly to allocate One-Half of the Real Estate Transfer Tax to the County, Where the Tax Was Collected on a Recurring Basis — Commissioner Webb and Tunnicliffe 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-15, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Vanderbilt University — Commissioner Tunnicliffe 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-17, Resolution Approving a New Compliance Officer Position for the Williamson County DUI Recovery Court — Commissioner Webb 23 - Y, 0 - N, 1 - Absent (Tunnicliffe)
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Resolution No. 11-24-18, Resolution to Adopt the Amended Williamson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Conditioned on Approval from FEMA and Authorizing the County Mayor to Sign all Documentation Required to Maintain Compliance for the Purpose of Qualifying for Certain Federal Grants - Commissioner Herbert 23 - Y, 0 - N, 1 - Absent (Tunnicliffe)
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Resolution No. 11-24-19, Resolution to Permit the Temporary Serving of Alcohol at the Williamson County Library for the Williamson County Library Foundation’s Fundraising Event - Commissioner Webb 21 - Y, 3 - N (Lawrence, Hester, Herbert)
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Resolution No. 11-24-20, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Lease Agreement with the Franklin Lions Club for Lease of Space in the county Community Services Building — Commissioner Webb
Amendment made to increase rate to $2.75/sq ft to cover expenses - 8 - Y (Lawrence, Smith, Graves, Sturgeon, Hayes, Stresser, Torres, Richards) 16 - N
Final Vote - 17 - Y, 3 - N (Hayes, Sanford, Richards), 4 - Abstain (Lawrence, M Smith, Sturgeon, Stresser) I chose to abstain from the vote due to insufficient information about the lease award process and whether current tenants are able to generate enough revenue to cover the building's operating costs. Because I was delayed in updating my electronic vote, I requested the County Clerk to amend my official vote.
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Resolution No. 11-24-21, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Lease Agreement with the Tennessee Resilience Project for Lease of Space in the County Community Services Building — Commissioner Webb 18 - Y, 1 - N (Sanford), 5 - Abstain (Lawrence, Stresser, M Smith, Sturgeon, Richards)
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Resolution No. 11-24-22, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Voting —- Commissioner Tunnicliffe PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-23, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Committee Appointments and Leadership - Commissioner Smith PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-24, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Censure of Commissioners — Commissioner Beathard
Deferred until 2/2025 - 15 - Y, 9 - N (Jones, Mason, Guffee, Aeillo, Tunnicliffe, Williams, Brown, Beathard, S Smith)
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Resolution No. 11-24-25, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning the Limitation of Signs at Public Hearings - Commissioner Beathard PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-26, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Oral Reports — Commissioner Beathard 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-27, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Presentations — Commissioner Beathard 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Resolution No. 11-24-28, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Public Comment — Commissioner Beathard PULLED
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Resolution No. 11-24-29, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning Public Comment at Public Hearings — Commissioner Beathard
Amended to include comments being germane to the zoning request - 18 - Y, 6 - N (Herbert, Sturgeon, Hayes, Stresser, Torres, Richards)
Final Vote (as Amended) - 18 - Y, 6 - N (M Smith, Sturgeon, Hayes, Stresser, Torres, Richards)
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LATE FILED Resolution No, 11-24-31, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter to a Co-Location Licensing Agreement with the State of Tennessee, Department of Safety and Homeland Security (Clovercroft Road) — Commissioner Mason 24 - Y, 0 - N
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LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-24-32, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Landfill Road) - Commissioner Mason 24 - Y, 0 - N
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LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-24-33, Resolution of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners to Execute a Waiver and Release of Setbacks for Property Located at 7347 Nolensville Road Currently Used by Nolensville Fire and Rescue — Commissioners Sanford and Mary Smith PULLED
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LATE FILED Resolution No. 11-24-34, Resolution to Name a Bridge Located on Clovercroft Road at Burke Hollow Road in Honor of Noble Houston Naron, Jr. for his Many Years of Service as a Community Leader to Williamson County and its Citizens Commissioners Sanford and Mary Smith 24 - Y, 0 - N
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Friendly Reminders
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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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Get Involved
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County Commission Meeting
Monday, January 13th at 6:00pm at:
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Executive Admin Building
1320 West Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
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