Maury County adopts 2025–26 budget, holds tax rate at $1.91; approves capital projects and appointments

The Maury County Commission on June 16 approved the countybudget for the year beginning July 1, 2025, kept the county property tax rate at $1.91 and authorized a series of capital projects and appointments.

The commission adopted a county general fund of $55,387,002 and a school general-purpose budget of $160,935,331 as part of the omnibus budget resolution (O62549). Commissioners voted to keep the consolidated property tax rate at $1.91 for the fiscal year (O62550); the county attorney and county staff presented the budget and fund-balance totals to the commission during the meeting.

The commission also approved a $1.4 million package of improvements to the Maury County Library, with funds to come from the general fund balance (O62553). Several other items tied to capital and economic development moved forward, including the countyauthorization to pursue Project Mustang (O62525), which authorizes purchase negotiations for Lot 3B in Cherry Glen at a proposed price of $1,275,000 and authorizes surveys, geotechnical studies and an MOU with the Industrial Development Board.

County Mayor Buck, speaking during the meeting, described the budget process as difficult for department heads and commissioners and urged patience and cooperation, saying, "we know that we can't do everything and we have to pray for wisdom and try to make the best decisions for the people of Maury County." Commissioner Sumner and others urged caution in future years about growing spending levels and the pressure of the upcoming property reappraisal cycle.

Votes at a glance (selected resolutions and outcomes)

- O62549: Adopt 2025–26 county and school budgets — Passed, 20-0. - O62550: Set county property tax rate at $1.91 (no change) — Passed, 20-0. - O62551: Approve unaudited beginning fund balances for FY26 — Passed, 20-0. - O62552: Approve audited beginning fund balances (FY24 audited figures) — Passed, 20-0. - O62553: Approve $1,400,000 library improvements (use of general fund balance) — Passed, 20-0. - O62525: Authorize letter of intent and studies for Project Mustang (purchase Lot 3B, Cherry Glen; $1,275,000) — Passed (vote recorded as unanimous by voice; formal roll call recorded during meeting). - O62524: Authorize Highway Department to apply for $5,000,000 Safe Streets grant (20% local match from highway budget) — Passed, 20-0. - O62522: Approve concept plan for courthouse renovations (to support GMP request) — Passed, 18-2. - O62523: Approve lease concept for additional judicial parking at 1112 Woodland Street (proposed lease with staggered rent and $500,000 purchase option) — Failed, 9-11. - O62538: Approve Edge Wastewater LLC to operate as a wastewater utility in unincorporated Maury County — Passed, 18-2. - O62539: Amend contract with Williamson County for juvenile detention ($200 per night per juvenile) — Passed, 20-0. - O62540: Approve MOU with Mount Pleasant for new library on Howard Field (survey, 36-day step; 1-year to allocate funds; 2 years to commence construction) — Passed, 20-0. - O62541/O62542: Two rezoning requests were considered: one (Boondocks property on U.S. 431) passed (20-0 with corrected language); the other (approx. 20.8 acres on Raleigh Hill Road) failed, 9-11. - Multiple routine appointments (board, audit, civil service, library board) and professional services contracts for building and zoning were approved (majority roll-call votes listed in meeting record).

What this means

The budget vote locks in spending plans and a stable tax rate for the coming fiscal year, while the library improvement appropriation and Project Mustang action commit county staff to surveys, legal steps and negotiations that could reshape parts of the countycapital portfolio. The failed parking-lease concept means commissioners declined at this time to pursue the proposed 10-year lease with a $500,000 purchase option for land adjacent to the new judicial center. Those specific questions will require further information and follow-up if the county seeks to pursue parking alternatives.

Background and next steps

County staff and the mayor said the budget will be submitted to the state comptroller for final processing. Commissioners scheduled a special-called meeting on June 30 for budget cleanup prior to the fiscal-year deadline. Departments and committees will carry forward the items that require surveys, engineering, or contract negotiation through admin and budget review before final lease or purchase agreements are executed.