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Smith On The Fifth
November 2025 - Update
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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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I wanted to share a few key updates from Monday’s County Commission meeting, one for the books at nearly 6.25 hours long. The most debated items included the pending hospital sale, the creation of a new septic task force, and a proposed increase to the Adequate Facilities Tax.
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Despite the lengthy agenda, I was encouraged by the thoughtful, and at times lively, discussion. There is still significant work ahead to ensure the taxpayers’ best interests are fully protected in any hospital‐related decisions, and I remain committed to pursuing transparency and accountability every step of the way.
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I also wanted to provide an update on the Owen Hill Road subdivision proposal that went before the Planning Commission this past Thursday. Thanks to the dedication of neighbors, concerned citizens, and direct descendants of the historic Allison African American community, both the developer’s wastewater plan and concept plan were denied. This is a significant victory for protecting historic sites and preserving the character of our rural areas.
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Yours in service,
Mary Smith
#ActaNonVerba
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County Commission Key Issues - Update
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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.
UPDATE: PASSED (23-0) and will go into effect this next budget year.
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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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UPDATE: PASSED (19 Y, 3 N (Webb, Clifford, Williams), 1 Abstain (Sanford)) - The new rate will be $1.00 beginning January 1, 2026, and then go to $2.00 per square foot beginning April 1, 2026. The estimated average annual income is between $1.5 million to $2.5 million depending on new commercial development across the county. There was also a change to no longer restrict the use for only ambulance and fire equipment to now allow for any capital and/or debt service usage to be approved by the Commission.
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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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UPDATE: 11-25-7 PASSED (23 Y - 0 N), 11-25-8 PASSED (23 Y - 0 N) Commissioner Judy Herbert was selected to be on the newly developed Septic Task Force. Please be sure to be on the lookout for public meetings for residents to participate in this process.
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📡 Wireless Communications Towers — Resolution No. 11-25-11 - PASSED
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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UPDATE: PASSED (22 Y - 0 N - 1 Abstain (Tunnicliffe))
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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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UPDATE: While Resolution 11-25-33 PASSED with a 17 Y -6 N (Tunnicliffe, Herbert, Hester, Smith, Guffee, Webb) vote and now awaits the results from the General Session to either (1) State Statute to be changed to allow for the County Commission to oversee any proceeds from a hospital sale or (2) a new Private Act exempting Williamson County from the current state statute. 11-25-5 was withdrawn until we see how the Commission feels about the attorney that has been approved to represent the county.
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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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