Williamson County moves ahead on College Grove park funding after public plea and debate over debt

The Williamson County Commission approved publication and an intent-to-fund step for general obligation bonds on Sept. 8, moves county leaders said are necessary to begin financing a slate of capital projects that includes phase one of the College Grove Park.

The actions followed public comments from College Grove residents who urged the commission to move forward on long-delayed park improvements. “I hope you support the College Grove Park,” said Joey Shaneen, who said the park would serve future generations and noted rapid residential growth in the area. Angela Walsh, another resident, told commissioners the current park “has been promised to us for almost 20 years,” and asked them to consider deferred maintenance when making their decision.

The commission first approved a publication resolution required by state law to advertise a possible bond issue (resolution 9‑25‑33). That resolution passed 19 yes, 3 no, 2 abstain. On a separate but related vote, the commission approved an intent-to-fund resolution listing specific county projects, including $10 million for College Grove (with $5 million requested in the current fiscal year) and other items such as a $1.5 million engine for Triune and $3.4 million for Castle Park emergency services (resolution 9‑25‑38). That action passed 21 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain.

Gordon Hampton, the county official presenting the park plans, said the College Grove site has been in the county’s capital plan for several years and that the county owns the property. He described the project as a multi‑phase effort. “We’re asking that the commission approve over the next two budget cycles $10,000,000,” Hampton said, adding funds will build multipurpose fields, dedicated pickleball courts and other amenities. He said the county secured nearly $2.26 million from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation specifically for an artificial‑turf multipurpose field at College Grove and warned the county could forfeit that grant if the park is not funded.

Several commissioners said they supported the park but expressed concern about rising county debt. Commissioner Chris Richards said he would vote no, saying Williamson County’s debt service is a higher share of the county budget than he is comfortable with: “Right now, our county budget for the debt is a larger percentage than what the national budget is… we pay about 12%,” Richards said, adding he could not, “in good conscience vote for more debt.” Commissioner Bill Petty said he favored the project but not additional borrowing and suggested using existing funds instead.

Supporters, including Commissioner Greg Sanford and others, said the park fills a long‑standing need in one of the county’s fastest growing areas and stressed the county had deferred maintenance at the existing facility because replacement was planned. Connor Scott, speaking about emergency services tied to the site, said the county needs the additional acreage to locate a fire station on the side of the railroad where growth is occurring and avoid safety delays when trains block crossings.

What the commission approved and what remains: the publication resolution enables the county to legally advertise a potential bond offering. The later step approving the specific list of projects signals the county’s intent to include those projects in a 2025–26 bond or note issue; the county will return for final bond issuance votes later this fall. County officials told commissioners they expect to take the bonds to market on Nov. 4. The College Grove portion is structured as a two‑year ask: $5 million in the current year and another $5 million in the following year if approved.

The conversation also included a broader debate about the county’s fiscal approach. Commissioners asked county finance staff whether some projects could be funded from fund balance or phased to reduce borrowing; officials said they had reduced the requested bond amount by about $2.2 million before the meeting and that future changes to the plan were possible depending on revenue performance.

Votes and next steps: The publication resolution (9‑25‑33) passed 19 yes, 3 no, 2 abstain. The intent‑to‑fund resolution (9‑25‑38) passed 21 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain. County staff said they will return with the formal bond issuance resolution and details of project timing and procurement, and that the county will proceed with designing the College Grove park and community engagement on specific amenities before construction begins.