Several residents used the public-comment period to press the Washington County Commission on school safety funding, county reserves and alternative revenue sources.

"Class sizes will likely rise to the state maximum, which is not good for students," said Grace (resident), who told the commission the budget before them provided no additional funding for the school system and urged use of reserve funds to pay for safety improvements. "We also need funds to obtain impact resistant fill on vulnerable windows and entry points at each of our schools," she said, adding that the county budget packet reflects a four-month reserve but she urged the board to use some of that to meet schools' needs and that the school board's reserve ``should not exceed two months of expenditures.''

Kevin (resident) proposed that Washington County create a volunteer "committee of government efficiency" to review county spending and identify savings. He said such a committee would require only volunteers' time and recommended the group have read-only access to county spending records to find areas to cut or automate. "I believe that within just after a 90 day evaluation, that we could save at least 1¢ off of the current $1.71 tax rate," Kevin said. He also told commissioners his review of past purchases found "errors, mistakes" and items he questioned, and he offered to submit a formal proposal and plan for the volunteer committee.

Lorenzo Romano (resident) said he and neighbors submitted a petition of 1,450 signatures asking for review of the "great library project," reconsideration of recent property tax appraisals and exploration of alternative revenue sources. Romano cited "Tennessee code 67-4-209 29 0 1" as an example of a statute some counties use to authorize impact fees on developers for infrastructure and school needs, and he suggested deed-transfer fees and other non-tax revenue could also help fund projects. Romano also suggested senior tax-exemption approaches used in other states as possible options.

Speakers did not propose specific appropriations on the floor; their remarks were part of public comment and not presented as motions. Commissioners did later take up the formal budget resolutions and voted to adopt the budget as presented.

The comments raised several items for county staff and commissioners to address: whether some portion of the county's reserve could be reallocated for school safety improvements; verifying the feasibility and legal basis for any developer impact fees the county might pursue; and reviewing petition requests and packet figures noted by public commenters.