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Smith For Fifth
Memorial Day Edition
"Remember and Honor"
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Memorial Day - May 26, 2025
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This photo was taken at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during our family visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2017
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Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice is the foundation of the freedoms we cherish every day. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid—only remembered, with gratitude and reverence.
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As President Ronald Reagan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
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This Memorial Day, let us remember the heroes who paid the ultimate price and rededicate ourselves to the values they died defending.
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We honor them. We remember them. We thank them.
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Message from the Commish...
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This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to present an overview of the recent county-wide property reappraisal and its anticipated impact on our tax rates. The presentation also addressed the proposed tax rate adjustment needed to support a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
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You can download the full presentation here including some helpful resources and calculations
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Please note that the proposed tax rate increase—from 1.2433 (Certified Rate) to 1.34 (Requested Rate)—as well as the proposed budget, are still under review and have not yet been finalized.
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Below is a summary of the information shared. If you have any questions about the content, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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There will be a public hearing on June 3rd, 2025, at 5:30pm at the County Admin Building, located at 1320 West Main, Franklin, TN. I encourage you to come and share your thoughts on any impact you feel this proposed increase will have for you and your family.
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As always, please reach out to me if I can ever be of assistance or if you want to learn more about our county and ways to get involved. We are a truly blessed county!
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County Budget & Tax Rates
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Investing in our Law Enforcement
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At the May 5th Budget Committee meeting, I introduced an amendment to the Sheriff's Office budget to provide a mid-year raise that would bring our law enforcement salaries up to the 75th percentile. Unfortunately, the motion did not receive a second and therefore could not move forward.
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I brought the proposal back at the May 13th budget meeting. This time, with the support of Commissioner O’Neil, the amendment received a second but ultimately failed in a 2-3 vote.
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Given our county’s continued growth, it’s critical that we offer competitive compensation to attract and retain high-quality law enforcement personnel. While I strongly believe in fair wages for all county employees, the urgency of the staffing challenges in public safety demands immediate attention. I will continue advocating for solutions that support the men and women who keep our community safe.
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You can view the full Budget Committee meeting, here.
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June 3rd @ 5:30pm - Public Hearing for Proposed Budget
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Next County Commission Meeting:
June 9th @ 6:00PM
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Auditorium at 1320 West Main St.
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If you like what you see, please be sure to share with your friends. The more we educate ourselves, the more we can become active participates in our amazing community. You can subscribe here. Also, if you are interested in supporting my efforts to preserve and protect Conservative values in Williamson County, please consider making a donation.
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