Nolensville holds public hearing on proposed FY2025–26 budget as residents and commissioners spar over tax increase

The Town of Nolensville Board of Commissioners on May 19 held a public hearing on Ordinance 25-21, the town’s proposed budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

The hearing drew several residents who urged caution about a proposed increase in the municipal tax rate and warned of impacts on seniors, homeowners and small businesses. James Clark of 921 Oldham Drive said the combined effect of Williamson County reassessments and the town’s proposal “is a real injustice to a lot of people that have been here for years,” adding that higher taxes will “automatically pass on to the business owner” and force cutbacks.

Aubrey Short, who said she helped incorporate Nolensville in 1996, said the town’s previous savings should be considered and urged officials to “look at savings, not expenditures.” Dr. Joe Kurtzinger and other residents asked for a town hall or question-and-answer session so officials can explain the numbers to residents. Several speakers emphasized concern for residents on fixed incomes.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the proposed budget was built from a five-year plan that anticipates growth-driven needs for public safety, public works and capital projects, and that a failure to raise revenue now would push larger costs into the future. The hearing was the public comment step required before second reading and any final adoption of the budget and tax rate.

What officials said and what’s next - Town staff and commissioners emphasized that Williamson County’s reassessment sharply changed the revenue picture. The county’s “certified tax rate” for Nolensville was discussed during the meeting as 18.92 cents; the town’s current rate was described in meeting materials and comments as 29 cents (all figures discussed as cents per $100 of assessed value). Commissioners described multiple possible tax-rate scenarios under consideration, including proposals that were discussed in terms the board used: a mid-range scenario near 39 cents, a scenario around 44 cents and a more aggressive scenario at 55 cents per $100 of assessed value. No final rate was adopted at the May 19 meeting.

- Several commissioners and the town manager stressed staffing needs tied to growth: planned additions cited in board presentations include three firefighters, three police officers, a public works employee, an IT administrator and a construction inspector funded by permit fees. Commissioners said different tax-rate scenarios produce very different five-year reserve and deficit projections and that they had run multiple scenarios before the hearing.

- Commissioner remarks reflected differing judgments over timing and magnitude. One commissioner described the proposed plan as a “tight” budget with “not a lot of fluff” and said she supported proceeding now rather than “kicking the can down the road.” Another commissioner said he was not comfortable adopting a rate far in advance of posting it and preferred to wait until posting would be imminent; he referenced a December 2024 speed-study example elsewhere in the meeting as a model for staging decisions.

Official and administrative context - The board opened public hearings for Ordinance 25-21 (annual budget and tax rate). State law requires public notice when a municipality intends to exceed the certified tax rate; the town’s packet included a notice of intent to exceed the certified tax rate under Tennessee Code Annotated. Staff said a resolution to affirm that intent (required under TCA 67-5-1702) would appear on a future voting agenda.

- Residents and commissioners repeatedly asked staff for clearer, publicly available tools: the board directed staff to publish tax-calculation guidance and link to the county calculator so residents can estimate their household impact. Staff said the county’s online calculator can accept assessed-value inputs and a tax rate to show estimated bills.

Ending The public hearing was completed and citizens’ comments were entered into the record. No final vote on the budget or tax rate occurred May 19; commissioners said second reading and final votes will be scheduled at upcoming meetings and that staff will provide additional breakdowns and a public forum option between first and second reading.