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Smith On The Fifth
March 2026
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Educational Impact Fees, Williamson Health, and
Courthouse Discussion
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Message from the Commish...
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Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to spend time with students at Page High School, and both visits highlighted different parts of what makes Williamson County such a special place.
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On February 27, I attended Tractor Day, a tradition that celebrates the agricultural heritage that continues to be an important part of our county’s identity. The students proudly showcased tractors that reflect the farming traditions many local families still carry forward today. It was a great reminder of the rural roots that so many residents value and work hard to preserve.
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Then this past Monday, I had the chance to meet with students from the Page High School chapter of Turning Point USA. During that visit, we talked about something I always enjoy discussing with students, the role county government plays in everyday life. From roads and schools to public safety, parks, and libraries, many of the services residents rely on each day are supported by county government.
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What stood out most in both visits was the students’ engagement. Seeing young people take an interest in their community and how local government works is always encouraging.
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I’m grateful to the students and staff at Page High School for the opportunity to spend time with them and for continuing traditions that reflect both our county’s heritage and its future leaders.
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Yours in service,
Mary Smith
#ActaNonVerba
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County Commission Meeting - 3/9/2026
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Elections & Appointments
Several positions across county boards and commissions will be filled or renewed.
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Emergency Communications District – Board of Directors (At-Large)
Nominees
• John Allman
• Allen Lovett
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Both nominees bring experience in emergency communications and public safety leadership.
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Highway Commission
Southeast District
• David Coleman – Former Williamson County Budget Director and longtime Highway Commissioner
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Southwest District
• Wayne Davis – 12 years of service on the Highway Commission
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Regional Planning Commission
Nominees
• Robin Baldree
• Sharon Hatcher
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Zoning Appeals Board
Nominee
• Karen Emerson-McPeak
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Major Financial Items
Bond Authorization for County Capital Projects
• Resolution 3-26-25 – Authorizes issuance of up to $17,850,000 in General Obligation bonds to finance county capital improvements. I fully anticipate with the discussion on creating a task force (3-26-2) that any decision on purchasing property will be deferred until more information is gathered.
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Education Impact Fees
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The agenda also includes updates to the Adequate Schools Facilities Tax, Williamson County’s education impact fee collected on new residential development.
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March 2026 Commission Packet
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• Resolution 3-26-4 – Updates procedures related to the collection and implementation of the Adequate Schools Facilities Tax.
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• Helps fund new school construction tied to growth
• Ensures development contributes to the cost of school infrastructure
• Revenue levels fluctuate depending on the pace of development
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Currently, Williamson County has approximately $91 million in collected educational impact fees designated for school capacity projects.
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At the same time, it is important for us to continually evaluate how these fees are being used and whether they reflect our current conditions. School enrollment growth has slowed in recent years, even as these funds continue to accumulate. Additionally, impact fees ultimately become part of the cost of building homes, which can affect housing affordability for families looking to live in Williamson County.
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As we continue planning for future school needs, I believe it is important that we carefully review both how existing funds are deployed and how fee structures impact residents and the housing market, ensuring we strike the right balance between funding infrastructure and maintaining affordability for our community.
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Budget Amendments & Appropriations
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Several resolutions adjust departmental budgets or allocate new funding.
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• Resolution 3-26-5 – Appropriates $7,090 in donations to the Williamson County Library budget.
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• Resolution 3-26-6 – Appropriates $48,000 from revenue to the Archives and Records Management Fee Account.
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• Resolution 3-26-7 – Appropriates up to $810,000 for personnel and equipment to the Highway Department due to severe inclement weather.
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• Resolution 3-26-8 – Appropriates $56,000 for Environmental Enforcement staffing.
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• Resolution 3-26-9 – Accepts $4,000 donation to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office for equipment and supplies.
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• Resolution 3-26-10 – Accepts $8,000 donation to the Williamson County Animal Center.
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• Resolution 3-26-11 – Appropriates $30,611.77 in Emergency Management reimbursements for overtime, supplies, and vehicle maintenance.
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• Resolution 3-26-12 – Accepts $2,500 donation for Parks & Rec all terrain wheelchair.
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• Resolution 3-26-13 – Accepts $8,426.51 donation for Parks & Rec.
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• Resolution 3-26-14 – Accepts $2,500 donation for Parks and Recreation.
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• Resolution 3-26-15 – Appropriates $164,951.56 to the Parks and Recreation Department.
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• Resolution 3-26-16 – Appropriates $50,000 in filing fee revenue to the County Clerk’s Office.
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• Resolution 3-26-25 – Authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $17,850,000 General Obligation Bonds for purchase of HG Hill property.
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• Resolution 3-26-28 – Accepts $50,000 donation to the Williamson County Animal Center.
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• Resolution 3-26-29 – Appropriating additional Opioid Abatement Funds to the 21st District Recovery Court.
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Other Items Under Consideration
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Additional resolutions address planning initiatives and county operations.
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• Resolution 3-26-2 – Establishes a Courthouse Task Force to analyze future courthouse space needs.
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• Resolution 3-26-3 – Authorizes hiring an independent consulting firm to advise the County Commission regarding potential transactions involving Williamson Health.
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• Resolution 3-26-4 – Amend and Implement an Amended Educational Impact Fee Rate and Schedule.
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• Resolution 3-26-18 – Approves a full-time coordinator for Williamson County Mental Health Court.
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• Resolution 3-26-19 – Allows the County Mayor to authorize the temporary sale of alcohol during the Human Book Rodeo at the Ag Expo Center.
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• Resolution 3-26-20 – Adopts the Williamson County Safety Action Plan to pursue funding opportunities.
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• Resolution 3-26-21 – Supports a grant application for the multi-purpose fields at the Williamson County Soccer Complex.
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• Resolution 3-26-22 – Approves a service agreement with the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce.
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• Resolution 3-26-23 – Authorizes adjustments to DMR performance bonds for The Villages at Westhaven.
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• Resolution 3-26-24 – Requests that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation amend regulations related to subsurface sewage disposal systems.
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• Resolution 3-26-26 – Authorizes an agreement to purchase unimproved property at 926 Columbia Avenue in Franklin.
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• Resolution 3-26-27 – Overrules the City of Franklin Planning Department action regarding the proposed Jupiter Justice Center project.
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Support for Resolution 2-26-20 & Municipal Response
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At the February County Commission meeting, 16 Commissioners, including myself, voted in support of Resolution 2-26-20, which expresses the Commission’s support for SB2311/HB2419 currently being considered by the Tennessee General Assembly.
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Over the past several months, I’ve heard from many residents across Williamson County who are concerned about property taxes, the pace of development and whether infrastructure, especially roads and schools, is keeping up. Many of those citizens specifically asked the County Commission to voice support for this legislation while the General Assembly is actively considering it.
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Because the legislative session is already underway, I believed it was important for the Commission to communicate our support now so our residents’ voices could be heard alongside other counties across Tennessee that are weighing in on the bill.
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At the same time, I also believe this conversation highlights the importance of proactive communication between the county and our municipal partners. Growth decisions often affect infrastructure that serves the entire county, and those conversations should happen early and collaboratively.
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As we move forward, I believe strengthening those proactive discussions should also be considered as part of our interlocal agreements with municipalities, ensuring we continue working together to plan responsibly for the future of Williamson County.
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Recently, members of the County Commission had the opportunity to tour the Williamson County Courthouse complex to better understand the space challenges our judicial system is facing.
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While the courthouse is only about 22 years old, the facility was already too small for the county’s needs at the time it was built. Over the past two decades, Williamson County’s population and case volume have grown significantly, placing increasing pressure on courtroom space, offices, and supporting services.
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During the tour, we were able to see firsthand how departments are currently operating within very tight constraints, and why the conversation about future courthouse capacity is becoming more urgent.
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As a result, discussions are now underway to determine how best to plan for a courthouse that can properly serve our community as Williamson County continues to grow. That includes evaluating current needs, future growth projections, and exploring responsible options for expanding or modernizing our judicial facilities.
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These conversations are still in the early stages, but the goal is clear: ensure our judicial system has the space and resources necessary to serve residents efficiently while planning responsibly for the county’s long-term future.
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The Commission will be voting on Resolution 3-26-2 to create a Task Force to begin evaluating our options and how to move forward with this much needed project.
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All of the following meetings will be held at:
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Next County Commission Meeting - May 11th @ 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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