FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISH

This last commission meeting was pretty quiet with the exception of meeting BOLO(see pic below), the new WCS therapy dog.  I hope you all enjoyed Valentine’s Day with the ones you love.  I continue to work on finding ways to save the taxpayers money while ensuring we pay the county employees we rely on a competitive wage.  There are many capital projects in different stages of development and planning.  If you would like to volunteer to help do research and analysis, please send me an email at mary@votemarysmith.com.

Here are some items you may find of interest:

• 2022 Williamson County Financial Review
• WCEC – Options and Quotes for Election Systems (presented at 2/15/2023 WCEC Board Meeting)
• WCEC – Proposal and Quote from ES&S for County Election System (approved at 2/1/2023 WCEC Board Meeting)

The final proposal for election systems is expected to come before the County Commission at our May 8^th meeting.  In the meantime, please be sure to share any concerns with either the WCEC or County Commissioners.  Be sure to include your name, city, and district.

Please continue to keep our county leaders and their families in your prayers!

Yours In Service,

Mary

Click here for more updates from around the county

STATE OF THE COUNTY
(as of 12/31/2022)

TOTAL CURRENT DEBT

$1,047,540,000*
Approx $140m is self-supporting

COUNTY BUDGET

Original - $723,533,814
Current - $771,547,06

COUNTY EXPENSES

$310,531,525
(40.25% of Budget)

COUNTY REVENUE

$356,054,938
(51.45% of Budget)

Click here for more information about the Financial Status of the County

DID YOU KNOW?

Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has a new therapy dog…

Meet BOLO, an 18-month-old Lagotto Romangnolo(Italian truffle hunting dog).  He will be making the rounds to WCS schools over the next several months.

Learn more about BOLO and Nashville K-9s.

COUNTY Q&A SPOTLIGHT

Ondrea Johnson

Director of Williamson County Animal Control

Years in Current Position: 5

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love just about everything about my job.  I love problem solving.  I love people.  And I love being able to help people with their problems so my role is really a natural fit for me.  I love being in a position to effect change in our community and provide needed services for the citizens.

Q: What is your biggest challenge?
A: Our department’s biggest challenge has always been staffing.  It’s difficult to keep staff and that is due to many factors.  We have many entry-level positions and by the nature of entry-level, people tend to move around.  It’s not all wage related, but wages do play a factor.  As a result, I try to be creative in rewarding our employees and one thing I believe we’ve done is engage the employees in the mission of the organization so that they feel they are making a difference and part of something rewarding.

Q: What is your highest priority?
A: My highest priority every year is delivering the best customer service possible to our citizens through every section of our department from front desk staff to animal control officers.  I want our employees to be problem solvers and look for ways to partner with residents to solve their own problems when possible.  When that isn’t possible, my priority is always that the person be treated with dignity at every juncture.  Public trust and being responsible with the taxpayers money are always behind my decisions.  I know this might sound obvious, but I don’t think it always is obvious these days.  I’ve found more and more that people seem unhappy in their work or willing to be really nasty with one another.  We try to keep an atmosphere of professionalism and problem solving, regardless of who is standing in front of us.

Click here for more information about WCAC

COUNTY/DISTRICT 5 EVENTS

County Commissioner Meeting

Monday, March 13th @ 7:00pm

1320 West Main
Franklin, TN  37064

Friendly Reminder:  If you would like to make public comment, please arrive a few minutes early to sign up.

Winter Market – 10 AM to 1 PM

Dec 3 to April 29
@Mill Creek Church of Christ

WCS Strategic Planning Session
Thu, February 23, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Mill Creek Middle School
200 York Trl, Nolensville, TN 37135

RESOLUTION OUTCOME

All Commissioners were in attendance except for Commissioner Nations from District 6.

February 2023 Packet

Resolution No. 2-23-1, Resolution for Inter-Category Adjustment for Approved Raise for the 2022-23 Budget Year
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-2, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into an Agreement with The State Of Tennessee, Department of Military, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to Reimburse Multiple Funds by $347,500.32 — Funds to Come From Federal Pass-Through Grant
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-3, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Archives Budget by $22,000 — Revenues to Come From Archives and Records Management Fee Reserve Account
YES – 21, NO – 2 (Sanford(5), Smith(5))

Resolution No. 2-23-4, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Library Budget by $140,249.52 — Revenues to Come From Donations, Contributions and Fines
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-5, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Juvenile Services Budget and Employee Benefits Budgets by $65,648.80 — Revenues to Come From County Unappropriated County General Funds
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-6, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Sheriff's Office Detention Budget by $500,000 for Medical Services - Revenues to Come From Unappropriated County General Funds
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-7, Resolution Accepting a Donation Of $2,000.00 for the Purchase of Equipment and Supplies for the Williamson County Sheriff's Office and Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Budget by $2,000.00 — Revenues to Come From Donations
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-8, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2022-23 Parks and Recreation Department Budget by $185,000.00 — Revenues to Come From Participant Fees
YES – 23, NO - 0

Resolution No. 2-23-9, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the Capital Improvement Plan 2022-23 Parks and Recreation Budget by $70,000.00 — Revenues to Come From Privilege Tax
YES – 23, NO - 0

Click HERE to view the latest County Commission meeting

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Art Helps Cancer, Inc. partners with the community to assist families by alleviating day-to-day concerns so they can focus on fighting cancer.

Please consider donating or becoming a sponsor for their annual fundraising event “Art from the Heart Auction” to be held on April 22^nd at Mill Creek Brewing Co.

Click here to nominate a charitable organization from District 5 or Williamson County