[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6388220,"mediaKeyId","2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a","parentId",2115141,"title","Franklin staff recommend multi-year water and sewer rate path; board weighs sewer impact-fee scenarios","audioSeconds",2697,"startMs",9475000,"endMs",12172000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a&start=9475&end=12172","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a/thumbnail_9475000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388220/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Franklin-staff-recommend-multi-year-water-and-sewer-rate-path-board-weighs-sewer-impact-fee-scenarios","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388220-4f660268517858bc11f5a6860f65aefc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572910&Signature=fSzF-XHLrMJpAn1wsBlXF2gUwij2ozRPgXG10WfnLG8zQk1t6CKlkz~35unzp3HEM5jWgwkOisSB8IgoOoXU1VbB3XJbAT4-14SQDUN2KmH8u4ymIBKNsCoG7DyVuS4DH820LSecopf889XZ2-KlucvxkR14RRvq~xqhp5739PNrldZxaPWSJexPpg9hAFbnzSLKJp2WefcuzcD57hBGuSC~iyPF3XmFoQUcxy3C7HeV~WACX7~o8XDahI3fKHFxcS9x3rUNJ~BxNFpJYMXobbxkJ74dKjUUJItDGGnRyqlb~UyDnexwSEwubffGFSbe0fvnIsS0~pBfA3gSIrkBog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin City, TN","date","2025-01-15T02:02:59Z","article","City of Franklin staff and consultants presented a cost-of-service study and a rate plan for water and sanitary sewer on Jan. 14, recommending baseline increases for 2026 and showing how different sewer-impact-fee choices affect long-term borrowing and customer bills.

The briefing matters because Franklin plans to add major wastewater capacity (a proposed south plant) and must decide the mix of development-paid impact fees, debt and customer-rate increases to fund that growth without jeopardizing utility financial health.

Fernando (Hazen consultant) summarized the analysis. For water, staff recommended a roughly 6% annual increase in 2026 (and similar levels through 2031 under current assumptions) driven primarily by purchased-water costs and operations/maintenance; the model seeks to restore a positive net position by the end of the planning window. For sewer, consultants proposed a required 5.7% increase for 2026 to meet debt-service-coverage and near-term obligations; after 2027, the planned increases depend on the sewer-impact-fee approach the board adopts.

Hazen ran four fee scenarios to illustrate trade-offs: (1) retain the existing impact-fee indexing (approximately the current fee, with inflationary adjustments); (2) a 5-year phase to a higher per-unit fee; (3) a 6-year phase to the full maximum fee the formulas justify; and (4) an immediate full increase to the maximum justifiable fee (roughly described in the presentation as a move toward an $18,000-per-single-family-unit equivalent). Across the 10-year window, consultants showed the mix of funding that results under each scenario: a more aggressive impact-fee approach shifts greater capital cost to development and reduces required rate revenue and city debt issuance; a conservative approach increases dependence on rate revenue and borrowing.

Fernando explained the model numbers: retaining the existing indexed fee produces roughly $99–$100 million of impact-fee revenue in the 10-year window in the staff model; phasing to higher fee levels raises projected impact-fee collections to roughly $198–$270 million depending on the chosen phase-in. That choice, the consultants said, changes the amount of debt the city would need to issue to build the south plant and related sewer work (the range of modeled borrowing ran from roughly $138 million under an immediate full-fee approach to about $250 million under the least aggressive-fee scenario). The consultants cautioned that impact-fee revenue is growth-dependent and therefore carries collection risk.

Board members focused on distributional impacts and long-term obligations. The staff showed how a 2026 rate package that recovers the required 5.7% sewer increase could be designed: options ranged from putting most of the increase into the fixed monthly service charge to increasing volumetric charges or a mix. The consultant showed that a fixed-charge-first approach yields roughly a $3–$4 monthly increase on an average residential bill (depending on class and usage), while a volumetric-first approach concentrates the burden on higher water users. The consultant also highlighted irrigation meters as a distinct cost driver because seasonal peaking requires system capacity even if consumption is intermittent; he offered scenarios where irrigation rates are increased more than domestic rates to reflect that cost-to-serve.

Several board members expressed concern about layering higher sewer impact fees on top of recently increased road-impact fees and other development charges, noting the potential for discouraging development or shifting growth patterns. Alderman Blanton and others asked for more time and comparison material; Vice Mayor Potts and Alderman Barnhill emphasized the need to proportion financing between ratepayers and new development to preserve coverage ratios and maintain financial flexibility. \"If we be a little bit more aggressive that doesn't mean full bore aggressive. I think that would help us,\" Alderman Blanton said, voicing a preference for a path that reduces long-term ratepayer exposure while not overburdening development.

Staff requested guidance from the board on a preferred fee/design approach; they agreed to return with additional detail on long-term debt-service implications, an extended view beyond the initial 10-year window, and further scenario analysis to show total lifetime payments under different combinations of impact fees and debt. Staff will incorporate feedback and present refined choices for the board to consider before final rate ordinances are adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Franklin, BOMA Work Session 1-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","City consultants presented a water and sanitary sewer cost-of-service study showing 2026 baseline increases (about 6% water; 5.7% sewer) and four sewer-impact-fee scenarios. The board asked for more analysis weighing developer-paid infrastructure versus higher long-term debt and ratepayer exposure.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Williamson County, Tennessee","taxId",4577,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388225,"Board sets public hearing for Jan. 28 on rezoning 13.42-acre parcel to civic institutional",385,2982000,3367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a&start=2982&end=3367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a/thumbnail_2982000.jpg","/articles/6388225/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Board-sets-public-hearing-for-Jan-28-on-rezoning-1342-acre-parcel-to-civic-institutional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388225-ee0c85bf9a657c293ad312142090fe1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572910&Signature=MFjTDdP14JgNJWtOOkze~0rG80NO2tg6TXySHliFuXnk456i15SJVX0xr846pKPLRZrX4WXX8-fvuY-SOsKrQMwR0cqb~xMJge-0cau6uvd0uVT9mbZjABs0QvSKoGpxYKJOcuItt8tMc6LI5h8KVahjTBa84c4WUY33plrPET5cCpyKHsRCuRaol3ySdI4udAa2K9qXAwWRDD1IE4YkkNyYWgFXGSch8tPvs4sFVvYBDMru5Yil7QF2jPtoq~~GJd-RZN4WYf0fnHsJV3JHuo6MvNbDN~Vh2x5DU-vHYVZ3iRwd7de9c1RboGBLvRAS2hVLPXKFVxixpIGujBt-Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Jan. 14 set a public hearing for Jan. 28 on Ordinance 2024-42, a rezoning request to change 13.42 acres from state residential to civic institutional at the southwest corner of Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway.

The move matters because the civic institutional zoning would permit by-right uses—including clinics, educational facilities, places of public assembly and other institutional uses—subject to site-plan approval and planning commission review.

Staff presented the request as a “straight zoning” rezoning from state residential to civic institutional and summarized the by-right uses the new district would allow once a site plan is approved by the planning commission. Planning staff noted the Planning Commission recommended approval of Ordinance 2024-42 by a 7–0 vote and staff likewise recommended approval to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The staff presentation made clear that additional reviews (including historic zoning overlay review, where applicable) remain part of the entitlement path.

Two public commenters spoke: JW Luna, who said he was appearing in a personal capacity and urged the board to defer any approvals until a detailed traffic-impact analysis addresses access and potential impacts; and Greg Gamble, who spoke on behalf of the applicant (Longings Church) and described site constraints and the applicant’s plans for access from Daniel McLellan Lane, the limits of developable acreage due to scenic-overlay and floodplain areas, and an expectation that a traffic study and third-party review would be required prior to planning commission consideration.

Gamble told the board the applicant is seeking a straight rezoning (not a planned-development with modifications) and that the developable area is closer to about 6.5 acres once scenic corridor and floodplain constraints are removed. Planning staff confirmed the property is in the historic overlay and will also need historic zoning commission review before development approvals proceed.

The board did not act to adopt a rezoning on Jan. 14; it established the public hearing on Jan. 28 to receive public testimony and allow further review.","The board established a public hearing for Jan. 28 on Ordinance 2024-42, a request to rezone 13.42 acres from state residential to civic institutional (site at intersection of Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway); planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388230,"Board initiates study of possible annexation in Mayes Creek Basin; staff warns major sewer, road investments needed",5026,3444000,8470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a&start=3444&end=8470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a/thumbnail_3444000.jpg","/articles/6388230/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Board-initiates-study-of-possible-annexation-in-Mayes-Creek-Basin-staff-warns-major-sewer-road-investments-needed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388230-0bfa308dd509f11b09929d23c0c01636/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572910&Signature=SuewK461sw7j6UMn7qIQ3XpFYJVasy3gZl7OTspiTW1MwKr5NVXrywYWa-KNPfvUTJTZmU8gz3njQjRlaRRfBQR~hlY4Q3d9FYWlHuWu2Ibw3YlMQ~mnh31Tgesad5ZBjzdWP9YOG4wkObEYrZtGExyIfSYtgba4LI6FV~dvFsznpPOXpx-0qtIbri4ZEa1cwvBGOCGRb0BurrPJ6wc44IPvlJpQPOSTFMpaUKbnuA7idqVvRjTycQPZx6bcB75U~f6JpjYJMxJHV6BizhC7PE0KWwFyWSjZdWO9LRQj8CzuVAsCsHRfvFLvYQ2Mj1glumG3WnyrSNh~sjnrJwbspQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen opened the door to further study of a large annexation in the city’s eastern urban growth boundary on Jan. 14, when staff presented a draft plan of services for about 493.87 acres near Murfreesboro Road and North Chapel Road.

The matter matters because the properties sit inside the city’s urban growth boundary but are non-contiguous to Franklin’s current limits; annexation would require major public investments—especially sewer, roads and emergency services—before full urban-level service could be provided.

Chelsea (staff member) presented the draft plan of services and noted the city’s two-stage annexation process: an initial feasibility study and plan of services followed by any formal annexation request. She told the board the properties total 493.87 acres, of which about 332 acres are designated as rural reserve in the Envision Franklin plan and roughly 133 acres lie in the 100-year floodplain or are otherwise constrained. “This property is in Mayes Creek Drainage Basin, which is identified as a mid term priority growth area per the annexation capability study,” she said, adding that the area lacks sewer infrastructure and would require significant public investment should development and annexation proceed.

Staff’s draft estimates include extending city sewer infrastructure by approximately 20,050 linear feet of force main, 6,727 feet of 18-inch gravity interceptor and 5,649 feet of 24-inch gravity interceptor—work staff approximated at $45,000,000, depending on final layout and phasing. The draft plan also recommends the applicant and city identify and dedicate an appropriate fire station site (at least three acres) before issuance of certificates of occupancy and calls for residential sprinklers where response time would average more than five minutes. Staff further noted that roadway failures around the Highway 96/I-65 interchange currently constrain traffic flow in the area and said it cannot support additional development at the site until major interchange and roadway improvements are advanced.

Applicant representatives confirmed they are studying a Village Green design concept — a plan district that would emphasize conservation of open space and a mixed-use village character — and said recent Tennessee legislation (the Tennessee Residential Infrastructure Development Act of 2024) provides a possible funding tool for infrastructure in residential developments that are otherwise costly to serve. Jeff Hynes of Catalyst Design Group, representing the landowner, said the family-owned property’s concept would preserve large open areas and pursue public–private funding options for infrastructure. “We believe that a transition of intensity from Highway 96 and the neighborhood commercial policy at North Chapel and Highway 96 is what's appropriate,” Hynes said, and said the applicant is working on a special-assessment-style financing study to present at the Feb. 11 public hearing.

The board’s discussion was extensive. County commissioners and many residents urged caution: speakers raised traffic backups at the Highway 96/I-65 interchange, school capacity implications for Trinity Elementary, floodplain and watershed concerns, limitations in existing water flow and fire-flow capacities, and long-term fiscal impacts if the city must fund major infrastructure. Williamson County Commissioner Greg Lawrence flagged school-seat projections tied to nearby developments and noted county-level interest in a greenway along East 96 that could intersect the parcel. Several speakers recommended preserving the site’s rural character or pursuing different, lower-density development approaches.

City staff emphasized this action initiates a study, not annexation. Eric Stuckey, city manager, told the board the review will be iterative and may include components that run in parallel (land-use plan amendments, sewer financing analysis, traffic studies and emergency service planning). Alderman questions focused on timing and whether a study now would help or hinder long-term sewer plant planning. Stuckey said the first phase of the new south plant would be needed regardless of this parcel’s annexation, and that decisions about this property would be a growth-policy choice rather than a technical necessity to build the plant.

Board members asked for substantial, staged information and timeline expectations. Staff said an Envision Franklin plan amendment (if the applicant requests one) could reach the June planning commission meeting if the board initiates study at the February public hearing; a final plan of services would follow months later and would require more detailed development proposals to finalize service and fiscal impacts. The draft plan specifically calls for a traffic-impact study, a fire-flow analysis, confirmation of water availability with the Millcroft Utility District and detailed sewer construction cost estimates tied to development phasing.

At the work session the board directed staff to proceed with the study process (staff will present a public hearing on Feb. 11 and return with additional analysis later). No final annexation or land-use decision was made on Jan. 14.","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized a study and draft plan of services for a proposed annexation of approximately 493.87 acres in the Mayes Creek (Maze Creek) drainage basin, subject to extensive infrastructure needs including an estimated $45 million of sewer extensions and a possible new fire station site.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388235,"Franklin updates 10-year capital investment model, shows $134.3M new capacity; board asked to re-check priorities",1805,471000,2276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a&start=471&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2115141-e3a433b0403d11a23ea7bbc091beff8a/thumbnail_471000.jpg","/articles/6388235/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Franklin-updates-10-year-capital-investment-model-shows-1343M-new-capacity-board-asked-to-re-check-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388235-b872217fe128d918388cc0ca20ee753b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775572910&Signature=CLSiokNb0tqeLn-Ljb8UXDirGqgOoSe9V3ZLPwZqhmspkQkSFRShGXc0WHGQ3cupGEEKPJ3RQ4r1fDRIOBbkEDLPaNv0cHRtrp3CmuPIyV63hmFJHo-j9tcGliGJ3Ggl9ERVOSFgfARYCyEItom8a2XFq2kwj-XDLW7zwNtE~Wu4H1xM9bGqZQOJ3bDoPT~jxUK~fnL~QoFoIi~cKE5XJNFm6fsSjfj~OQe2ehJ1pLexpVb4inzWykJyaLK3YjyfH1O0cxbhYJPBD6uyxk91mMPTb1JbpnrQOMNK611EaRrnglZLoAtl~YCxZTqqpweq9GtU0TfToS5Cw8huBZSLcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Franklin officials reviewed an updated 10-year financial model for the capital investment program at the Jan. 14 work session, showing roughly $525 million in forecasted revenue and a net $134.3 million of additional capacity for future projects.

The presentation matters because it recalculates how much the city can spend in cash and borrow for roads, parks, facilities and other large projects, potentially changing which projects are funded in the near term.

Michael Walters Young, the city’s chief budget and performance officer, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen the model covers fiscal 2025–2034 and reflects updated revenue forecasts, revised debt scenarios and the projects approved in Resolution 2024-46. Walters Young said the update incorporates higher expected receipts from the city’s half-percent local option sales tax and revised road impact fee expectations. “We would forecast roughly $112,000,000 in cash over the next 10-year period,” he said, adding the model is conservative on development-dependent revenues.

The model groups revenue sources into internal funds (general fund, sanitation, road impact, facilities tax, stormwater, hotel/motel and parkland dedication) plus external funds (federal/state grants, private and utility contributions). Walters Young highlighted that of the roughly $525 million forecasted revenues, the general fund and the revised road impact fee scenario account for the largest increases since the board last saw the plan: road impact fee assumptions contributed about $77 million of the additional capacity and general fund cash added about $20 million.

Staff also outlined a debt plan that would reduce the previously projected borrowing from about $195 million to roughly $176 million over the 10-year window, with potential bond issuances across fiscal years 2025–2028 for major projects (Southeast Park phase 1, East McEwen Drive phase 4, a new city hall and Long Lane/Patonsville work among others). Walters Young said the city’s current annual debt service of about $15.8 million would peak at about $28.2 million in fiscal 2029 under the proposed schedule.

Aldermen pressed staff on assumptions. Alderman Barnhill noted the selected 60% factor applied to the previously modeled $170–$230 million road-impact scenario and said the number could be more aggressive; Walters Young and staff said the 60% assumption intentionally errs on the conservative side and can be adjusted for alternate scenarios. Vice Mayor Potts and other members asked staff to bring back a prioritized list of projects from the board’s prior rankings updated to the new capacity target so aldermen could re-assign funds among projects.

Staff flagged several projects already in active phases: roughly $447.1 million of expense across 36 approved projects (14 completed), with Southeast Park phase 1, East McEwen Drive phase 4 and Robinson Lake among the largest near-term construction efforts. East McEwen’s total project cost shown in the model incorporates an estimated $30 million in federal grants included as external funding. Walters Young said total remaining projects in the CIP gross to about $390.2 million after accounting for existing resources and prior commitments.

Next steps outlined by city staff included returning with: (a) a prioritized list of projects reflecting the updated capacity, (b) options for phasing and financing (cash vs. debt), and (c) additional detail on projects staff recommended reconsidering for the 10-year window (for example, replacement of Fire Station 3, which staff noted could fall outside the current decade and cannot be funded with facilities tax). Eric Stuckey, city manager, said staff will “identify where there appears to be consensus on the prioritization” and present a revised number and options for the board to weigh.

The board did not take a final funding vote on Jan. 14; staff were directed to return with more detailed, prioritized scenarios for aldermanic consideration and possible future action.","City staff presented an updated financial model for Franklin’s 10-year Capital Investment Program showing about $525 million in forecasted revenues and a net $134.3 million in additional capacity for projects; staff recommended the board refine prioritization and consider a phased debt plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Franklin staff recommend multi-year water and sewer rate path; board weighs sewer impact-fee scenarios

Board sets public hearing for Jan. 28 on rezoning 13.42-acre parcel to civic institutional

Board initiates study of possible annexation in Mayes Creek Basin; staff warns major sewer, road investments needed

Franklin updates 10-year capital investment model, shows $134.3M new capacity; board asked to re-check priorities