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Smith For Fifth
July 2025 Update
"New Fiscal Year = New Budget & New Opportunities"
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Message from the Commish...
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Honoring the Legacy of Freedom – A Personal Reflection This Independence Day
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“Posterity—you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
— John Adams
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This Fourth of July, those words from one of our Founding Father resonated more deeply than ever.
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Our family spent part of our holiday in New York City, with the opportunity to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Standing before the powerful portrait of George Washington Crossing the Delaware and gazing at the dignified image of Alexander Hamilton, founder of the U.S. Coast Guard, reminded me that the legacy of service lives on—not just in paintings, but in the hearts of our own children.
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Last year on the Fourth, I was dropping off my son as he began his journey at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Today, he’s a midshipman and a certified EMT—well on his way to serving our nation at sea.
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And just a little over a week ago, on July 3rd, I had the honor of watching my son-in-law graduate from U.S. Coast Guard Boot Camp, becoming a Fireman Apprentice alongside more than 120 other dedicated young Americans. Seeing both of them take up the call to serve was humbling—and inspiring.
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These moments made John Adams’ words, and the actions of our forefathers feel more than historic—they felt personal. The sacrifices of the past made possible the freedom we enjoy today. And now, a new generation is rising to protect that promise for the future.
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As we celebrate what an amazing country we live in, let us all take a moment to reflect:
We live in the land of the free because of the brave.
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Yours in service,
Mary Smith
#ActaNonVerba #SemperParatus #LegacyOfService
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"George Washington Crossing the Delaware" (left)
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Alexander Hamilton (above)
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County Financial Snapshot
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? Fiscal Responsibility in Focus
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Addressing Our Debt and Funding Core Services
As Williamson County continues to grow, so do the demands on our infrastructure, schools, and essential services. While we are proud to maintain a AAA bond rating and historically low debt ratios, the reality beneath the surface deserves careful attention.
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This year, $109 million—over 12% of our $903 million budget—is dedicated solely to debt service. That’s funding we cannot use for core government services like public safety, road maintenance, and emergency response—or for quality-of-life investments such as parks, libraries, and senior programs.
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With total county debt nearing $1.1 billion, we must begin asking the tough questions:
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How do we fund the services our citizens rely on without continuing to borrow?
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How do we preserve our financial health without overburdening taxpayers?
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? The answer lies in identifying new, sustainable revenue sources that align with our county's values and needs. That includes exploring economic development strategies, optimizing public-private partnerships, recovering delinquent taxes, and evaluating ways to modernize government operations for greater efficiency.
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We must act now—not just to manage our debt, but to ensure Williamson County remains a place where families, businesses, and future generations can thrive.
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Fiscal stewardship isn’t just about numbers. It’s about protecting our community’s future while continuing to deliver the services that make Williamson County one of the best places to live in Tennessee.
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? Growth Is Coming—Let’s Grow Wisely
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Development across Williamson County is moving fast—and with it come important questions. Are we thinking through how growth impacts our roads, schools, stormwater systems, property taxes and county culture?
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Recent projects have stirred concern among residents, especially when changes are approved without a clear plan to support them financially or preserve the character of our communities. Read more about these projects here:
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The truth is that growth itself isn’t the problem. But without a thoughtful strategy, the cost often falls on existing residents—through higher taxes, more traffic, and strained services.
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This is one reason why the County’s work on the Special Area Plans for Triune, Arrington, and College Grove is so important. These efforts aim to guide growth where centers of commerce were once well established—but even there, infrastructure upgrades are still needed. Roads, drainage, and utility capacity must be part of the conversation from the start.
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Developers, planners, and citizens all have a role to play. Growth done right means balancing opportunity with impact—financially, environmentally, and culturally.
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Let’s make sure we’re not just building more—we’re building smarter.
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?️ Preview: July 14, 2025 County Commission Meeting
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The Williamson County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, July 14 at 6:00 p.m. with a packed agenda of budget appropriations, board appointments, and community recognitions.
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?⚖️ Elections & Appointments
The Commission will vote to fill several key roles:
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District 3 County Commissioner (Vacancy)
?️ Nominees: Guy Walker Carden II and Jim Hagaman (appointment to serve until next general election)
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Industrial Development Board
?️ Nominee: Brandon Oliver (to fill unexpired term through 3/26)
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Medical Examiner
?️ Nominee: Dr. Samuel A. Smith (Reappointment – Resolution not numbered)
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Water & Wastewater Authority – Commerce Representative
?️ Nominee: Jerry Rainey (5-year term – Resolution not numbered)
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? Major Appropriations & Budget Amendments
The Commission will consider Resolutions 7-25-1 through 7-25-21, plus late-filed Resolutions 7-25-33 through 7-25-35, allocating over $50 million across county functions:
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? Res. 7-25-1: $14,135,800 for 2025–26 WCS capital needs
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? Res. 7-25-17, 18, 19: Over $16.1 million combined from Adequate Facilities, Education Impact, and Education Privilege taxes for debt service
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Transportation & Infrastructure
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?️ Res. 7-25-2: $4.9 million for corridor studies and new highway equipment
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Public Safety & Legal Services
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? Res. 7-25-3: $60,000 for Youth Villages contract
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? Res. 7-25-8 & 9: $300,775 for fire staffing (Thompson’s Station) and $639,600 for fire equipment
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?♂️ Res. 7-25-21: $515,133 grant for Sheriff's Office
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? Res. 7-25-35 (Late-Filed): Axon body cams, tasers, and related tech – funded from General Fund Balance
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Community Services & Grants
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?️ Res. 7-25-4 to 7-25-7: Funds for juvenile court, circuit court clerk, register of deeds, and public health from grants/donations
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? Res. 7-25-10, 14, 15: $55K+ in animal center donations and grants
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? Res. 7-25-11: $29,000 for the library from contributions
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?️ Res. 7-25-12 & 16: Over $2.7 million for solid waste improvements
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?️ Res. 7-25-13: $550,000 for Parks & Rec equipment/flooring
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? Res. 7-25-20: $11.6 million from General Fund Balance for capital projects
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?️ Res. 7-25-33 (Late-Filed): $50,000 for County Clerk equipment and maintenance
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⚖️ Res. 7-25-22 to 7-25-24: Juvenile detention contract, donated exercise equipment, and cybersecurity grant
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⚖️ Res. 7-25-28: Joinder in lawsuit against TN Commissioner of Education on state school funding model
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? Res. 7-25-29: Authorization of opioid settlement agreements
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? Res. 7-25-31: Acceptance of Benjamin Franklin statue donation
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? Res. 7-25-32: Increase in mineral severance tax rates
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?️ Proclamations & Community Honors
The Commission will recognize two state champion lacrosse teams:
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? Nolensville High School Boys – 2025 TSSAA Division I-AA State Champions
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? Page High School Girls – 2025 Inaugural TSSAA Girls State Champions
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? Stay informed and engaged! Attend the meeting or follow along via livestream to see how your county government is working for you.
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All of the following meetings will be held at:
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Next County Commission Meeting - September 8th @ 6:00PM - Main Auditorium
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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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