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Dickson County OKs $1.75 million in budget transfers to fund water projects, courthouse repairs; officials say no tax increase likely
Summary
At its Oct. 6 work session, the Dickson County Commission approved budget amendments moving $1.5 million from the general fund to capital projects and $250,000 to a capital fund tied to a State Water Infrastructure Grant. County leaders said the moves are covered by an unexpected $4.5 million surplus and should avoid a tax increase.
At a Dickson County Commission work session on Oct. 6, commissioners approved budget amendments transferring $1,500,000 from the general fund to the general capital projects fund (fund 170) and $250,000 to fund 178, a capital projects fund linked to a State Water Infrastructure Grant, county officials said.
Don Hall, director (presenting the amendments), told commissioners the packet included three amendment items and that the transfers will cover grant matches and capital work. "We have, basically, 3 items here for amendments this month," Hall said as he outlined the transfers and internal adjustments to fund 171.
County leadership said the transfers are supported by an unexpected surplus. The mayor (unnamed in the transcript) said the county closed recent books showing roughly $4.5 million more than budgeted and that, based on current estimates, there would be no need for a tax increase next year. "So the good news is, once again, this county is very financially fit where we'll be able to not raise taxes, give decent pay rates for employees, and finish the projects we have going on," the mayor said.
The funding tied to fund 178 supports local matches for projects funded through the State Water Infrastructure Grant (SWIG). The mayor and Hall said those projects include work to extend water lines for the Sylvia area (referred to in the meeting as Sylvia Tennessee City Pond) and a connection that would give Van Leer a secondary water source in cooperation with the county water authority. Hall said the county already budgeted roughly $100,000 for engineering and expected an additional roughly $500,000 to complete that phase; the newly transferred funds cover the remaining match and related capital work.
Commissioners and staff said other uses for the transferred funds include finishing renovations at the historic county courthouse and work on the jailer's house. Hall and the mayor emphasized the county’s long-running conservative budgeting approach, saying the county has prioritized maintenance to avoid future deferred costs.
The commission voted to approve the amendments by voice. Commissioner Grove moved the approval; Commissioner Buckner seconded. The motion passed by voice vote (tally not specified in the record).
Commissioners asked no further questions during the amendment discussion. Hall noted the county's fourth-quarter numbers are currently under audit by the state comptroller’s office.
What this means: The transfers authorize staff to place the roughly $1.75 million into the specified capital accounts to fund SWIG match requirements and to finish identified county building projects. Officials told commissioners that, barring new developments, those allocations mean the county can avoid a tax increase and continue planned employee pay adjustments.
Votes and next steps: The commission approved the amendment motion during the Oct. 6 work session. Staff indicated the highway five-year average item (a separate agenda item) would also be reviewed with the state before final budgeting in some cases; other budget actions will move to the regular session as posted on future agendas.
