FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISH

Hope you all are enjoying your summer.  I know I have enjoyed the cool summer evenings and spending time with my family.  The first week of this month was spent on a family road trip to North Carolina including the Outer Banks and the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The scenery was magnificent and watching the fireworks display over the ocean was inspiring.  We truly do live in a beautiful country.

We also are very blessed to live in a country that values family and freedom.  This past week, I took my family to see “Sound of Freedom”.  This is a heartbreaking movie that exposes the tragic reality of child trafficking.  If you see only one movie this summer, I strongly suggest this one.  You can even see it for free if you go this link, Free Tickets.  As a mother and now grandmother, this is a subject matter I am extremely passionate about and hope that one day will be eradicated from our society.

Finally, I wanted to share an open letter that was sent to Governor Lee from 20 Williamson County elected officials and Republican party leaders in an appeal to call off the special session.  I’m not sure what Governor Lee will ultimately decide to do but I think it was important to share our concerns.  You can find the full letter here.

God Bless!
Mary Smith
The People’s Commissioner

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STATE OF THE COUNTY

TOTAL CURRENT DEBT

$1,099,195,000*
$202,240,000 is self-supporting

COUNTY BUDGET

Original - $723,533,814
Current - $778,308,846
(as of 05/31/23)

COUNTY EXPENSES

$633,617,274 (81.41% of Budget)
(as of 05/31/23)

COUNTY REVENUE

$688,340,379 (104.17% of Budget)
(as of 04/30/22)

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

NOTABLE ITEMS

June County Commissioner Budget Meeting(6/26/2023)

·        The 2024 County Budget of $794,197,946 was passed, this represents a 9.77% increase over last year’s budget.  The school budget represents approximately 75% of this budget.  While the budget was balanced as required by state law, the forecasted expenses exceeded the forecasted revenues requiring fund balances to make up the difference.

·        Hats off to Commissioner Sanford for his efforts to get an almost 83% increase in the budget for Arrington Volunteer Fire Department.  These volunteers work hard as first responders, and I am extremely grateful for the service they provide our families and community.

July County Commissioner Meeting

·        28 Resolutions were brought to the Commission, all 28 PASSED (see list below)

Roads/Infrastructure

·        After a highway study from 2015, there will be upcoming improvements being made to Arno Rd at S. Carothers Rd and 840 to accommodate the growing traffic in the area.

·        ICYMI…the highway department was gracious enough to address the turn at Rocky Fork Rd and Rock Springs Rd in Nolensville by adding asphalt to allow for a more generous turn radius. 

Parks & Rec

·        There were several challenges this past May with the RenFest on Spanntown Rd, mostly regarding unprecedented traffic.  With the passing of Resolution 7-23-8, there will be $100,000 allocated for improving the parking area so that wet weather will no longer be an issue.

·        Parks & Rec will be leasing a part of the Maryland Farms YMCA to increase access to Pickleball courts in the area.  There will be 14 courts added for public use with a small reservation fee required.

Other Items

·        County Fair runs 8/4 through 8/12 – Don’t miss the fun.  I’ll be volunteering to drive courtesy carts on the morning of 8/5 and 8/12, be sure to say hi.

Click here to read the entire Tennessee Code Annotated regarding Election Machines

RESOLUTION OUTCOME

July Resolution Packet

NOMINATIONS
Library Board of Trustees
3 Year Term, Expiring 7/26 Terri Hood, Nominee
Yes – 24, No - 0 

STATUTORY COMMITTEES (Beginning August 2023 Through July 2024)

APPROPRIATIONS

Resolution No. 7-23-2, Resolution Requesting an Intent to Fund for $16,252,690 for the WilliamsonCounty Board of Education 2023-24 Capital Needs - Commissioner Herbert

Amended to reduce amount to $13,000,000 and have remainder come from fund balance for hardware needs.
Amendment(from $16m to $13m - $3m to come from General Purpose School Fund) –
Yes – 22, No – 2 (Torres, Hester)

Resolution as amended
Yes – 22, No – 2 (Hayes, Torres)

Resolution No. 7-23-3, Resolution Appropriating $2,300,000 Adequate School Facilities Privilege Tax Funds and Approving the Related Operating Transfers for 2023-24 General Debt Service Expenditures — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-4, Resolution Appropriating $3,800,000 Education Privilege Tax Funds andApproving the Related Operating Transfers for the 2023-24 Rural Debt Service Expenditures — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-5, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 20223-24 Capital Projects Budget by $7,494,892 — Revenues to Come From County General Fund Balance — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-6, Resolution Amending the 2023-24 Capital Projects Budget and Appropriating up to $6,895,000 for Major Corridor Study Projects and the Purchase of New Equipment — Revenues to Come from Unappropriated Highway Fund Balance —- Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-7, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Capital Project Budget by $3,295,314 — Revenue to Come from Unappropriated Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund Balance — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0 

Resolution No. 7-23-8, Resolution Appropriating And Amending the 2023-24 Capital Projects Budget by $500,000 for the Purchase of Various Parks & Recreation Equipment — Revenues to Come from Recreation Privilege Tax Funds — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-9, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Health Department Budget by $1,516 — Revenues to Come from Fund Balance — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-10, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Circuit Court Clerk’s Budget by $50,000 — Revenues to Come from Reserve Account — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-11, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 County Clerks Budget by $50,000 — Revenues to Come from Reserve Account — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-12, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Juvenile Services Budget in the Amount of $192,000 — Revenues to Come from State Grant Funds — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-13, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Health Department Budget by $164,163 — Revenues to Come from State Grant Funds — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-14, Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Williamson County Appropriating Funds Not to Exceed $1,200,000 for the Repair and update of the Convention Center Located in Franklin — Revenue to Come From American Rescue Plan Act Funds —- Commissioner Webb
Yes, 24, No - 0

LATE FILED Resolution No. 7-23-26, Resolution Appropriating and Amending the 2023-24 Capital Projects Budget for a Bridge on Forest Drive — Revenues to Come From highway Privilege Tax Funds — Commissioner Webb
Yes, 24, No – 0

LATE FILED Resolution No. 7-23-27 - RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING AND AMENDING THE 2023-24 REGISTER OF DEEDS’ BUDGET BY $153,448 — REVENUES TO COME FROM DOCUMENT RECORDING FEES
Yes, 24, No – 0

LATE FILED Resolution No. 7-23-28, RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING AND AMENDING THE 2023-24 ANIMAL CONTROL BUDGET BY $1,100 - REVENUES TO COME FROM STATE GRANT FUNDS  
Yes, 24, No – 0

LATE FILED Resolution No. 7-23-29
Yes, 24, No - 0

OTHER

Resolution No. 7-23-15, Resolution of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners to Clarify and Amend Resolution No. 5-22-23 Amending the membership to the Williamson County Public Library Board of Trustees - Commissioner Webb
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-16, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Brentwood, the City of Franklin and the Williamson County Emergency Communications District Concerning the Continued Payment and Reimbursement for a County Wide Notification System — Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-17, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Services Agreement with Consor Engineers, LLC for Consulting Services — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-18, Resolution Authorizing Williamson County to Participate in a Pilot Mattress Recycling Program — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No – 1(Graves)

Resolution No. 7-23-19, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Provision of School Resource Officers – Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-20, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Sign a Contract with the State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for the Provision of Juvenile Detention Services — Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-21, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into an Agreement with Emergitrust to Provide Emergency Medical Services to Prison Inmates in the Custody of the Williamson County Jail or the Williamson County Sheriff's Office - Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-22, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with the Williamson County Hospital District d/b/a Williamson Health to Provide Emergency Medical Services to Prison Inmates in the Care and Custody of the Williamson County Jail or the Williamson County Sheriff's Office at a Discounted Rate - Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-23, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Enter Into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Brentwood, the City of Franklin Concerning Reimbursement for the Purchase of Software Licenses and Related Subscription Fees on Behalf of Franklin’s Police and Fire Departments ~ Commissioner Sturgeon
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-24, Resolution Authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to Execute a Lease Agreement with Highwoods Reality Limited Partnership for the Temporary Use of a Recreational Facility — Commissioner Herbert
Yes, 24, No - 0

Resolution No. 7-23-25, Resolution Amending the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners Concerning the Provision of Public Comment — Commissioner Webb
Yes, 24, No - 0

You can find all resolutions for the month of July here.  Please let me know if you have any special concerns or considerations regarding the above.

Amendment to Resolution 7-23-2

Late Resolution 7-23-26

Late Resolution 7-23-27

Late Resolution 7-23-28

Click HERE to view the latest County Commission meeting

COUNTY/DISTRICT 5 EVENTS

NOLENSVILLE FARMERS MARKET – SUMMER MARKET NOW OPEN
Follow them here

Monday, September 11, 2023 @ 7:00pm

1320 West Main

Franklin, TN

Click here for more District 5 and County Events