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Christmas Wishes
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As we wrap up this year and prepare to spend quality time with friends and family, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your encouragement and support throughout 2024. Balancing family life, professional career, and my role as your commissioner has been challenging yet deeply rewarding. Getting to know more of you has strengthened my appreciation for what makes our community truly special.
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Looking ahead, I remain committed to representing you effectively and maintaining open communication. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. While we face significant challenges in 2025—particularly property reassessments and growing debt service payments that could lead to a potential property tax increase—I'm confident that through creative problem-solving and collaboration, we can achieve positive outcomes. Our county's dedicated leaders and workers continue to drive meaningful progress, as evidenced by initiatives such as the Veteran's Treatment Court, which I had the privilege of attending this past month. There are so many great things happening, I can't help but be hopeful for our future.
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From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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While there was no Commission meeting the month of December, there were several committee meetings that did occur:
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Law Enforcement & Public Safety: In case you haven't heard, there have been two criminal incidents in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County, including one in District 5. The week before Thanksgiving, several cars were stolen from various neighborhoods in Arrington. Additionally, there was an armed robbery in the Grassland Community (District 8). For more details on these concerning events, please see the below news stories:
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To improve the recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel, Sheriff Jeff Hughes, in collaboration with our HR Director, has been working on a pay study to offer more competitive salaries. While the study is still being finalized, the initial findings suggest that the pay increases will be similar to last year's annual raises but will be adjusted based on tenure and experience. Further updates will be provided as we approach the 2025 budget discussions.
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Education: The County Commission will soon vote on whether to approve the WCS Capital Improvements Plan for the next five years. You can view the full 5-year plan by clicking [here].
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As I reviewed the plan, which includes the construction of several new school buildings across the county — including three in District 5 — I had several questions and concerns:
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Enrollment Trends: With overall enrollment remaining flat or decreasing in elementary schools, are we considering how to better utilize existing space across the county?
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Construction Costs: Given the continued high cost of construction, could we explore modifying current building designs to better meet the needs of the school community and projected enrollment figures for elementary, middle, and high schools?
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Funding Alternatives: Can we address the capital needs of our schools using educational impact fees, rather than relying on additional bond debt?
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While it is important to have long-term planning tools in place, I also believe we need more creative and comprehensive solutions. We must ensure that we provide clear information to the community on how these plans will address local needs and the potential impact on property taxes.
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Capital outlays from each department are a key part of our strategic planning. However, it’s critical that we evaluate all the needs across the county to make informed decisions about how to best utilize our resources and prioritize spending.
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Planning Commission: This past month saw a couple of new designs for District 5 presented at the Planning Commission. One is for a cidery to be constructed along Patton Rd and the other is for a new mixed-use development in the Triune Special Area Plan. Below is the link to each for your review:
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- Arrington Reserve - Orchard & Cidery - Includes the following (starting on p. 5):
- 9,900 sq foot, 3 story cidery
- 1,236 sq foot storefront
- Walking paths, pedestrian bridge
- Orchard with overflow parking
- Traffic Impact Study (starting on p. 10)
- Triune Master Plan - Draft - Includes the following:
- Major development along Interstate 840 and Murfreesboro Road
- Features residential neighborhoods and commercial spaces
- Integrates with current community riding center and existing businesses (Tractor Supply, Shell, White Bison)
- For more information, please you can forward to the Planning Commission meeting at approximately 42 minutes.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding either of these projects. Regarding the mixed-use development, this is currently a draft that is being reviewed by our Planning Department to ensure compliance with the current zoning. If any changes are required, there will be ongoing discussions between the developer and the county.
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Please review the county calendar to know when meetings are occurring so that you may participate in public comment and have a greater understanding of the business coming before the County Commission.
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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 January 13th at 6:00pm 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 they 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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