Cheatham County's budget committee recommended approval of a $3,779,982 Ed Debt capital outlay note to replace and upgrade HVAC systems across multiple county schools and advanced a separate request for $350,000 in architect and design fees for a proposed school maintenance and technology building.

The committee reported the Board of Education approved the HVAC list 6‑0 and the budget committee forwarded the county funding recommendation 4‑0 with one member absent. Budget staff said the Ed Debt note is part of a multi‑year program to address HVAC needs and that the amount would be secured from existing Ed Debt funds. "This is part of that multiyear program to replace and upgrade the HVAC in schools," a budget committee member said.

Separately, county staff asked for $350,000 to pay architect and design fees for a proposed maintenance and technology facility near the existing transportation site on Sweet Home Road. County staff said the $350,000 would be for plans with the understanding the county may seek approximately $7,000,000 to construct the building in a future year; the committee discussed delaying design work if the commission is not comfortable committing to the larger construction expense. "If we don't have a majority to build the building next year, we shouldn't spend $350,000," a budget member said.

The school district described bringing maintenance work in house in recent years and said in‑house maintenance has increased accountability and lowered costs for routine repairs. School officials told commissioners they have staff including electricians, HVAC technicians and technology staff that now handle much of the district's repairs and installations, and that additional space would allow expansion of career and technical education programs.

No final county commission vote took place at the workshop; the measures and related debt requests will be presented to the full commission as part of the formal budget and debt schedule.