Cheatham County Commission approves multiple budget amendments, school debt note and bids; denies single rezoning and opts into landfill approval law

Cheatham County commissioners on Oct. 20 approved a package of budget amendments and capital financing measures, awarded a construction contract for Sycamore Square renovations, denied a rezone request and voted to opt into state law that gives counties local approval authority over new or expanded landfills.

The actions, taken during a regularly scheduled meeting in the General Sessions Courtroom in Ashland City, included authorization of an interfund capital outlay note of up to $3,779,982 from education debt service to fund school HVAC replacement and a separate design-phase note not to exceed $350,000 for a new school maintenance and information-technology building. Commissioners also approved multiple line-item budget amendments funded from a variety of sources, including an American Rescue Plan Act allocation for public utility projects.

Why it matters: the approved finance actions commit county funds to school capital work and to staffing/facility changes that county and school officials said are intended to improve maintenance capacity and replace aging HVAC systems. The landfill resolution changes who must sign off on future landfill proposals in the county by adding a local approval step in addition to state review. The MDI Construction contract moves planned Sycamore Square renovations toward implementation.

Most important votes and outcomes

Votes at a glance (selected motions and official outcomes recorded on the Oct. 20, 2025 agenda):

- Rezone request by Adam Prophet (agriculture to R-O-1 for parcel cited as “match 67”): Motion to deny the rezone passed (motion by Miss Lowell; second by Mr. Evans). Tally: 12 yes, 0 no. Outcome: denied.

- County general budget amendments (multiple line items including jail $40,188.43; other general government projects $17,313.62 and $6,733.08; building…