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Smith On The Fifth
February 2026
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Growth Policy, Williamson Health, and
Courthouse Revisited
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Message from the Commish...
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I hope you and your families are doing well as we recover from the historic storm that impacted our community. In the days following the storm, I had the opportunity to visit our Public Safety Center on Wednesday morning and one of our warming centers at Franklin High School later that afternoon. What I witnessed left me both in awe and deeply inspired.
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Across nearly every county department, our public servants stepped up in extraordinary ways. Many of our public safety employees, along with members of our animal shelter team, spent time away from their families staying overnight at county facilities to ensure our neighbors, including some from surrounding counties, and our animals were safe and cared for. Even our landfill staff expanded services to assist with debris cleanup in the aftermath of the storm.
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Moments like these remind us of the strength of our community and the dedication of those who serve it. We truly have exceptional people working for Williamson County, and we are blessed because of them.
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I also had the privilege of visiting Arrington Fire and Rescue to provide a meal as a small token of gratitude for their tireless work not only within their own district, but across the county in support of other fire and rescue personnel.
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So, if you see a county employee or first responder in the coming days, please take a moment to say thank you. Their service, sacrifice, and commitment deserve our sincere appreciation.
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In that same spirit of community care, I was invited, along with our Sheriff, to tour the new freestanding TriStar ER in Nolensville. This facility will be a tremendous asset to our community, and it was evident that the team there is well prepared to handle a wide range of medical needs.
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It has been a very busy start to the year, and I look forward to seeing more of you in the months ahead as I continue my campaign for Williamson County Mayor. If you are interested in running for elected office, please feel free to reach out. The final filing deadline is February 19, and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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Being a public servant has been one of the most rewarding roles I have had the honor of holding. We have a bright future ahead, and I hope you’ll consider taking a front-row seat in helping shape it.
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Yours in service,
Mary Smith
#ActaNonVerba
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County Commission Meeting - 2/9/2026
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For this week’s County Commission meeting, there are a few resolutions I want to highlight that may be of particular interest to residents.
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Resolution 2-26-7 & 2-26-8
These resolutions request a bond issuance of $17,850,000 for property located on Columbia Avenue (commonly referred to as the Hill Property) for potential future construction of a courthouse. There is broad agreement that the current courthouse no longer meets the county’s needs. This project was originally envisioned as part of the Triple J plan (Jail, Juvenile Services, and Judicial Center) but was delayed, largely due to the pandemic.
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At this time, several key questions remain unanswered, including the absence of a concept plan for the property, the overall cost (as an appraisal has not yet been provided), the City of Franklin’s desire for a more revenue-generating use, and feedback from the surrounding community. Given these outstanding issues, I fully expect this resolution to be deferred until additional information is available.
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Resolution 2-26-20
This resolution includes several proposals for the State Legislature to consider as part of a comprehensive growth strategy. While it is a proposal rather than an action item, it addresses issues I believe warrant serious consideration.
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Notable considerations would include providing counties with clearer insight into the financial impact of annexation requests on county services. Other considerations call for increased commissioner participation in County Growth Plan committees, the removal of non-contiguous annexation requests, and greater resident input on inclusion within the Urban Growth Boundary. There is currently a proposed bill - Senate Bill 2311, sponsored by Senator Hensley and Representative Monty Fritts, which addresses the financial impact to counties and to give them greater involvement in municipal annexation requests.
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Resolution 2-26-22
This resolution revisits a proposal from last month to create a Request for Proposals (RFP) and committee to evaluate the cost of hiring an external consultant to represent the County Commission in discussions surrounding the potential sale of Williamson Health.
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Many residents have shared concerns about the process, including some who believe the hospital should not be sold. Additionally, we are awaiting state legislation that may clarify whether any proceeds from a potential sale could be secured for the county. This is one of the most consequential decisions Williamson County has faced, and it deserves thoughtful consideration — honoring nearly 70 years of history while safeguarding the future of healthcare in our community.
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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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This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the Visit Franklin Annual Tourism Roadmap event at The Factory. Each year, they share valuable insights into how tourism impacts our local economy—and one statistic stood out.
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In 2024, tourism saved the average Williamson County household approximately $1,631 in taxes. That’s real money staying in your pocket, thanks to visitors helping fund essential county services without raising property taxes.
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Last year alone, visitors spent $1.37 billion right here in Williamson County. That investment helps pay for:
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Public safety and essential services
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A stronger local economy that supports our small businesses
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This is exactly why I support responsible growth and alternative revenue streams—so we can protect our quality of life, fund the services we all rely on, and keep the tax burden on local families as low as possible.
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TEMA Updates from Winter Storm Fern
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The below information was given to Local Government officials to share with our constituents:
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- Yesterday, Governor Bill Lee announced that President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration, which includes FEMA Public Assistance for 15 counties in addition to the eight counties that have already been approved for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Public Assistance.
- Both the TBI Hotline and the Winter Storm Fern Information Line have ended operations.
- TEMA has created a survey to self-report damages to homes as a result of Winter Storm Fern. Tennesseans can report damages at this link.
- Price gouging is prohibited. If you have experienced a business that is price gouging, file a report to Tennessee’s Office of the Attorney General.
- The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed twenty-nine weather-related fatalities.
- Crisis Cleanup has been activated to assist residents with free property cleanup as a result of winter weather impacts. To request assistance, call: 844-965-1386.
- The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville is activated at a Level 3 - State of Emergency to respond to the winter weather.
- Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDEC, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.
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All of the following meetings will be held at:
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Next County Commission Meeting - March 9th @ 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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