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Cheatham County approves budget amendments, school safety note and sales tax resolution
Summary
At its April 16 meeting in Ashland City, the Cheatham County Legislative Body approved multiple budget amendments, authorized a three-year capital outlay note up to $500,000 for school safety entrances, passed a resolution to levy an additional sales tax and voted to restrict that revenue to education debt.
The Cheatham County Legislative Body on April 16 approved a package of budget amendments, authorized financing for school safety projects and passed a resolution to levy an additional sales and use tax whose proceeds were restricted to education debt.
County Mayor Kerry McCarver told commissioners the county’s FEMA account held $105,381.32. The body voted unanimously, 12-0, on a series of routine and substantive motions including adoption of multiple General Fund and special fund amendments, approval of contracts and appointments, and two requested rezones.
Why it matters: the commission authorized a three-year capital outlay note not to exceed $500,000 to install or upgrade school safety entrances at multiple schools, and it approved restricting revenue from a proposed sales-and-use tax increase to education debt — moves county leaders and the director of schools said will help address school safety and education financing needs.
Budget and school funding Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented multiple line-item amendments across county funds that the commission approved by roll call vote. The body approved a $400,000 amendment to the General Purpose School Fund (funding source: Extended School Program) and authorized a three-year capital outlay note not to exceed $500,000 to pay for school safety entrances at ECES, KSES, CMS, SHS, HHS, HMS, WCES, PES and SMS. The school board and education committee recorded votes of 4-0 (two members absent); the county’s final roll call approvals were unanimous, 12-0.
Tax and legal action County Attorney Michael Bligh presented a resolution to levy an additional county sales and use tax; the commission approved the resolution by roll call vote 12-0. Commissioners then voted, again 12-0, to restrict the additional sales tax revenue to Education Debt.
Land use and zoning In a noticed public hearing, the commission approved two rezoning requests: a 15.02-acre parcel owned by Landon Jones and Michael Orange was changed from C5 to C2, and a 5.5-acre parcel belonging to Kevin and Christy Saunders was changed from Ag to R1. The Saunders property is in an A Zone Special Flood Hazard Area; Kevin Saunders spoke to explain the request before the body voted 12-0 to approve both rezonings.
Capital projects and contracts The Capital Improvements Committee recommended and the commission approved several contracts and purchases: Meadow Construction was awarded the Leachate Collection Project at the landfill transfer station ($32,559.50), with an additional approved allowance of $200 per hour for concrete hammering; tanks were approved from Jarrett Concrete ($15,800). Olympian Construction Company LLC was approved as construction manager for the Sycamore Square Project not to exceed $191,524. The commission also approved smaller capital items, including a $825 wall in the Probation Office and security and video surveillance purchases for county facilities.
Appointments and nominations County Mayor McCarver submitted appointments and reappointments to boards and committees, which the commission approved. The Calendar, Rules and Nominating Committee’s slate for the Equalization Board was amended and then approved as amended (Dale Brinkley, Brenda Montgomery, Gene Hannah and Wade Reed) by roll call vote 10-2. The commission also approved a slate of notary public applicants by voice vote.
Public comment and reports During public forum James Jenkins (4th district) urged the Equalization Board be independent from the Assessor’s Office and offered candidate suggestions. Dr. Cathy Beck, director of schools, thanked the commission for beginning the sales tax process to address education debt and invited commissioners to a school fundraiser April 28. Sheriff Mike Breedlove and County Trustee Dot Jones provided routine monthly reports.
The meeting concluded with recognition of Pastor Sam Creed for his service and adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Votes at a glance: most roll-call items recorded unanimous county votes (12 Yes, 0 No) where noted; the Equalization Board approval was 10 Yes, 2 No. Specific motion language, movers, seconds and resolution numbers are in the record.
What’s next: the record shows the commission authorized the capital note and passed the sales tax resolution and restriction; implementation steps and any further hearings or formal tax enactment steps were not specified in the meeting minutes.
