Maury County Commission opposes proposed landfill buffer change, names roadway for longtime highway superintendent and fills commission vacancy

The Maury County Commission on Tuesday voted to oppose state legislation that would remove a two-mile landfill buffer around some Class II scenic rivers, approved a $1.09 million guaranteed-maximum price for a park restroom and shelter project, adopted multiple school budget amendments and approved the appointment of Nick Burkhalter to fill a vacant commission seat.

The commission passed a resolution opposing House Bill 095 and Senate Bill 725 — measures described at the meeting as attempts to eliminate a two-mile buffer that currently limits landfills near Class II scenic rivers. County staff and commissioners said the change could affect Mulluck Creek and other water segments; the commission’s resolution passed 19-0.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the mayor framed the resolution as protection for the Duck River and other designated scenic waterways in Maury County, a step they said would preserve water quality and local control while the county and allied groups monitor the bills at the statehouse.

Mayor Buck (staff distributed a legislative report during the meeting) reviewed several bills the county is tracking, including measures described at the meeting as SB 160 and House Bill 83 (ambulance cost-share discussion), SB 725 and SB 895 (landfill buffer language), and transfer-tax language (listed in the packet as House Bill 649 and related items). The mayor told commissioners the county estimated a transfer-tax share could yield about $3.4 million annually for Maury County if enacted.

“Most counties feel like there should be a cost share” for ambulance services, the mayor said while summarizing the legislative list distributed to commissioners.

The commission also approved a guaranteed-maximum price (GMP) not to exceed $1,087,637 with Hewlett Spencer LLC for construction of a restroom building, two 30-by-60 wood picnic shelters with metal roofs, a concrete walking trail, an electric entrance gate, paved driveway and parking with lighting and related site work. The motion passed 19-0.

School budget amendments totaling roughly $687,356 were approved in a single action. The amendments included state special education funds, a $492,406.48 SSIG 2 allocation, a $5,000 STEM grant for Mount Pleasant High School and other smaller grants and reimbursements. Commissioners said there were no conflicts of interest and no use of fund balance for these amendments; the motion passed 19-0.

In personnel and appointments, the commission filled the District 2 commission seat left vacant by Ray Jeter. Nick Burkhalter was selected in a commission vote and will serve the remaining 18 months of the term. Burkhalter told the commission he intends to use “common sense” and to vote according to his Christian views; the selection passed with a reported tally of 16 yes votes (selection process described on the record).

Commissioners also reappointed Cheryl Brown to the agricultural board and approved the notary renewal/new notary list; both measures passed 19-0.

The commission unanimously approved a resolution designating a 2.3-mile portion of Wheelerfield Road as the “Honorable Van Baushears Roadway” in recognition of Van Baushears’ seven terms as Maury County highway superintendent. Van Baushears thanked the commission and recalled growing up on that stretch of road; the resolution passed 19-0.

Other business: the county approved a $400 study for a Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System hazardous duty supplement for qualifying law-enforcement personnel (motion passed 19-0). An IT budget amendment to add $57,450 for Office 365 upgrades was withdrawn from consideration after staff reported existing budgetary funds would cover the cost; commissioners voted to table the amendment 19-0. The commission also approved several routine committee reports and the consent agenda.

Public comment: Michael Ray Coughlin of District 10 warned commissioners about a section of railroad near Big Creek he said is deteriorating and posed risks to water and utilities if a derailment occurred. He summarized contacts with rail and state agencies and described follow-up inspections by federal and state staff. Coughlin asked the county to note the condition for possible action; commissioners asked staff to accept his written materials.

What comes next: Commissioners asked staff to monitor the named state bills and to coordinate with the county’s legislative committee. The library board appointment that had been on the agenda was converted to an announcement so the library board could review applications and make a recommendation at its February meeting and bring a recommendation to the March administrative committee in keeping with the board’s bylaws.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment to change agenda item 2-25-08 (library board) from appointment to announcement — motion by Commissioner Brian Breidenbaugh, second by Commissioner Woliver; outcome: approved 19-0. - Notary public list (renewals/new) — motion by Commissioner Brian Ball, second Commissioner Grodi; outcome: approved 19-0. - Appointment: Cheryl Brown to Agricultural Board (reappointment) — motion by Commissioner Howard; outcome: approved 19-0. - Selection to fill commission vacancy (Ray Jeter seat): Nick Burkhalter selected — outcome: approved (recorded tally 16 yes, selection confirmed on the record). - Resolution designating Wheelerfield Road as Honorable Van Baushears Roadway — mover: Commissioner Patty Hollingsworth; outcome: approved 19-0. - Resolution approving a $400 TCRS hazardous-supplement study for qualifying law-enforcement personnel — outcome: approved 19-0. - IT budget amendment (additional $57,450) to upgrade county computers to Office 365 — motion to table after staff said funds were available; outcome: tabled 19-0. - Guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with Hewlett Spencer LLC not to exceed $1,087,637 for restroom/shelters/trail/parking — outcome: approved 19-0. - School budget amendments (multiple line items totaling approximately $687,356, including $492,406.48 SSIG 2 funds and a $5,000 STEM grant) — outcome: approved 19-0. - Resolution opposing House Bill 095 and Senate Bill 725 (landfill buffer language) — mover: Commissioner Eric Pravetti; outcome: approved 19-0.

(Where exact vote tallies other than unanimous were recorded in the transcript, they are reported above as stated on the record.)

Sources and attribution: direct quotations and attributions in this article come from statements recorded in the Maury County Commission meeting transcript on Feb. 18, 2025. Quotations used include remarks by Carrie Powers (public speaker and school-board candidate), Nick Burkhalter (selected commissioner), Van Baushears (honoree), Michael Ray Coughlin (public commenter) and commissioners who made and seconded motions. Where the transcript did not identify a speaker by full name for a specific comment, the article reports the content as described on the record without an attribution to an individual.

Ending note: Commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring the state legislation flagged in the mayor’s report and to reconvene relevant committees for any needed follow-up; the next regular meeting was discussed for March committee recommendations.