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Smith On The Fifth
November 2025
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"Happy Veteran's Day"
"Zoning, Tax Revenue & Williamson Health"
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Message from the Commish...
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As we prepare to honor our veterans this month, I wanted to share a recent ad I placed in the Williamson Herald. No words can truly express the depth of gratitude I feel for those who have sacrificed so much so that we may live in freedom and liberty each and every day.
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From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all who have served and to the families who have stood beside them.
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Yours in service,
Mary Smith
#ActaNonVerba
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Thank you to everyone who was able to attend my kickoff. It was truly a special evening. If you were unable to attend, no worries, there will be more events coming up in the near future. You can read more about the event from my Press Release and from the article published in the Williamson Scene!
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County Commission Key Issues
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💰 Tax Relief for Seniors — Resolution No. 11-25-32
Williamson County first introduced the Broad-Based Tax Relief Program for seniors in 2007 to help ease the burden of rising property taxes. While the program includes an automatic 3.3% annual increase, it has not kept pace with today’s cost of living, especially for residents on fixed incomes. I am proposing to raise the qualifying income threshold to $63,000 from the current $48,770, expanding eligibility so that more seniors, many of whom have spent their lives contributing to our community, can remain in their homes and maintain financial independence.
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🏗️ Adequate Facilities Tax Adjustment — Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-39
As Williamson County continues to experience unprecedented growth, the strain on infrastructure, from roads and schools to public safety, has increased dramatically. A late-filed resolution sponsored by Commissioners Tom Tunnicliffe and Sean Aiello proposes raising the Adequate Facilities Tax (AFT) rate on new non-residential development. This adjustment would ensure that commercial growth contributes more equitably to the costs of roads, schools, and other critical public facilities, reducing the burden on existing taxpayers while preserving the county’s long-term fiscal stability.
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🚰 Septic Permit Process — Resolutions No. 11-25-7 & 11-25-8
For years, many property owners have faced delays and confusion in obtaining septic permits. While improvements have been made, challenges persist. Commissioners Brian Clifford, Judy Herbert, and Greg Sanford have been leading efforts to streamline the process, increase transparency, and reduce turnaround times. Resolution No. 11-25-7 establishes a Task Force to recommend regulatory and operational improvements, while Resolution No. 11-25-8 appoints a commissioner to serve on that task force. These steps are aimed at improving service and ensuring a more predictable, homeowner-friendly system.
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📡 Wireless Communications Towers — Resolution No. 11-25-11
Earlier this year, the Commission approved stricter setback requirements for towers near schools. Now, Resolution No. 11-25-11 strengthens public notification requirements and requires providers to clearly demonstrate both the need for a tower and the suitability of the proposed site. These revisions balance improved wireless coverage with responsible community planning and respect for nearby residents.
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🏥 Proposed Sale of Williamson Medical Center — Resolutions No. 11-25-5 & 11-25-33
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There are ongoing discussions about a potential sale of Williamson Medical Center. Concerns include how the RFP process is being conducted and how any sale proceeds could legally be used.
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Resolution No. 11-25-5 reaffirms the County Commission’s oversight authority and requests outside legal review, while Resolution No. 11-25-33 seeks a Private Act and/or an amendment from the current State Law from the Tennessee General Assembly to clarify how proceeds may be spent. These are complex issues with long-term implications for healthcare access, county debt, and taxpayer protection. We should all remain committed to full transparency and public accountability throughout this process.
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County Commission Agenda Summary
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💰 Financial Snapshots
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Education Impact Fee Collections: Over $168 million collected to date, with $97.6 million available for school capital projects.
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Current Fund Balances (as of September 2025):
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General Fund — $88.6 million
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- Solid Waste - $9.64 million
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Highway Fund — $6.76 million
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General Debt Service — $48.2 million
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- Rural Debt Service - $25.6 million
🧩 Legal Insight
County Attorney Jeff Moseley issued an opinion stating that if Williamson Health were ever sold, proceeds could only be used for health-related services and to repay related debt obligations — not for general county expenses.
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🧱 Zoning & Land Use Public Hearings
Three zoning amendments will be heard for public comment and vote:
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Resolution No. 11-25-9 – Amending Articles 10, 14 & 20 of the Zoning Ordinance to update standards for Conservation Subdivisions (Commissioner Herbert)
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Resolution No. 11-25-10 – Amending Articles 11 & 23 to address Private Airports, Landing Strips & Heliports (Commissioner Clifford)
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Resolution No. 11-25-11 – Amending Article 11 regarding Telecommunication Towers (Commissioner Mary Smith)
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💵 Budget & Appropriations
Several significant appropriations and grant-related resolutions are on the agenda:
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Resolution No. 11-25-7 – Creates a Task Force to recommend reducing subsurface sewage regulations and departmental budget reductions
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Resolution No. 11-25-12 – Adds $114,679 to the Veterans Treatment Court Budget from Opioid Abatement Funds
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Resolution No. 11-25-13 – Appropriates $3.18 million for the purchase of school buses
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Resolution No. 11-25-14 – Authorizes $12.47 million for employee raises and pay adjustments
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Resolution No. 11-25-15 through 11-25-26 – Various grants and donations supporting the Archives & Museum, Opioid Programs, Heritage Foundation lease, Sheriff’s Office, Health Department, Parks & Recreation, Library, and Animal Center
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Resolution No. 11-25-22 – Accepts a $1 million donation from Excel Aquatics, Inc. for a Natatorium at the Bethesda Park Recreation Center
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Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-36 – Appropriates $4.5 million state grant to the Sheriff’s Office
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Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-37 – Appropriates $3.52 million state grant for Parks & Recreation improvements
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Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-38 – Accepts a small donation for the Animal Center
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Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-40 – Provides a grant agreement with the Tennessee State Museum for the County Archives
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⚖️ Policy Resolutions & Community Impact
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Resolution No. 11-25-5 – Reaffirms the County Commission’s oversight authority over Williamson Health, addresses potential conflicts of interest, and requests outside legal review of any potential sale or transfer of county-owned assets.
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Resolution No. 11-25-32 – (Sponsored by Commissioner Mary Smith) Raises the income eligibility threshold for the Broad-Based Tax Relief Program for Seniors, helping more residents on fixed incomes stay in their homes.
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Resolution No. 11-25-39 (Late Filed) – Proposes increasing the Adequate Facilities Tax rate on new non-residential development to better fund public infrastructure demands.
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Resolution No. 11-25-8 – Appoints one commissioner to serve on the Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Task Force.
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Resolution No. 11-25-27 & 11-25-28 – Accept donations for the Animal Center and authorize the temporary serving of alcohol at a library fundraising event.
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Resolution No. 11-25-30 – Declares certain county-owned weapons as surplus.
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Resolution No. 11-25-33 – Requests the Tennessee General Assembly to amend state law governing the use of proceeds from any sale of a public benefit hospital.
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🛣️ Consent Agenda Items
Routine approvals include:
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Resolution No. 11-25-29 – Granting an easement to Middle Tennessee Electric for the Columbia Avenue expansion
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Resolution No. 11-25-31 – Granting an easement to the City of Franklin for a permanent federal line marker
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Resolution No. 11-25-34 – Reducing the speed limit on Crow Cut Road (District 1)
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Late-Filed Resolution No. 11-25-35 – Additional easement to Middle Tennessee Electric
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📅 Stay Engaged
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Citizens are encouraged to attend Commission meetings or follow online to stay informed about the decisions shaping our county’s future.
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All of the following meetings will be held at:
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Next County Commission Meeting - January 12th @ 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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Appearance in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Homeland Security.
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