County committee told Drakes Creek road project estimate rose; members ask Hendersonville to share overages

Sumner County staff told the General Operations Committee on Aug. 4 that a TDOT project for SR 258 in the Drakes Creek area has a substantially higher updated estimate and the county could be responsible for about $1.8 million under the current estimate. Planning staff told the committee the work may qualify for Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) funding that would limit the county’s share to 20 percent of the construction cost, but the MPO process is not yet complete. Finance director Scott said TDOT updated the estimate after a change in project management and that the county’s current exposure — shown in an updated estimate the committee received — would be “just short of $1,800,000.” Scott said the county’s liability may change because the MPO process could supply most of the additional funding, but the estimate will continue to fluctuate until the project reaches the construction phase. Commissioners questioned timeline and triggers for county commitment after the project sat for years in preconstruction. One commissioner moved that any cost overages be split with the City of Hendersonville, which had initially requested the project; the committee approved a motion asking Hendersonville to bear half of any increases. Committee members said the motion will be forwarded to the full commission so the county’s position on cost sharing is clear when the MPO process and TDOT updates advance. Staff emphasized this is an update and not an immediate request for county funds; the committee’s action was intended to set a negotiating and policy stance for potential future increases as estimates firm up.