Cheatham County approves budget amendments, appointments and two zoning changes

The Cheatham County Legislative Body met Nov. 20, 2017, in the General Sessions Courtroom in Ashland City and approved a package of budget amendments, board appointments, asset surpluses and two zoning changes.

County Mayor Kerry McCarver reported the county's Federal Emergency Management Agency balance was $105,381.32 and updated commissioners on the status of flood demolition properties. "The FEMA account balance is $105,381.32," McCarver told the body and invited residents to a Dec. 2 open house at the courthouse.

The body approved several mayoral recommendations by voice vote, including reappointing Pam Jenkins and appointing Mary Brink to the Port Authority and reappointing multiple members to the 911 Emergency Board and the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. The commission also approved Local Government License Agreements for the county website and a NextGen software upgrade and extended a grant project end date for a library walkway.

Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented a set of budget amendments across county funds. The Legislative Body approved General Fund amendments (line items included miscellaneous, animal control, juvenile services, building and jail allocations including a $400,000 jail adjustment) by roll call (11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent). The body also authorized Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund amendments (convenience centers $76,389.84; landfill operation and maintenance $375,000) and other fund adjustments, and approved adding a deputy title as a Drug Investigator to supplement an earlier resolution.

Commissioners authorized surplus and sale of multiple Sheriff Department vehicles and EMS equipment, with proceeds directed to vehicle and drug funds as specified in the agenda, and approved the sale or recycling of other county assets. A budget amendment of $1,770 to reupholster General Sessions Courtroom chairs passed 10–1–1 (Gary Binkley voted no; one absent).

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the body considered two rezoning requests. It approved a zone change for property associated with Ryan Thomas (motion recorded as map 25, parcel 24, 9.56 acres, from Agriculture to R-1; Planning Commission 7–0; Legislative Body roll call 10 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). It also approved a zone change for properties associated with Donetta Hedges of Double H Properties (map 23, parcels 57 and 57.01 totaling 8.0 acres, from C-2 to C-1; Planning Commission 7–0; Legislative Body vote 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent). No members of the public spoke for or against either rezoning.

County Attorney Michael Bligh informed the commission about a Secretary of State notice concerning fraudulent liens filed against government officials and said recent state laws provide a streamlined process for addressing them; he also said he is reviewing lease agreements for the Sycamore Square property.

Other routine reports included a trustee report on October receipts, Sheriff Mike Breedlove's announcement that deputies would prepare Thanksgiving dinners for the community and his request for school resource officers after a recent school-related threat, and an update from the director of schools, Dr. Beck, who said the Pegram school project is nearly complete and her office will distribute a five-year plan.

The body made several appointments recommended by the Calendar, Rules and Nominating Committee (including Johnnie Beasley to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Derek Deed to the Industrial Development Board), adopted an Archives and Records Management Fee to take effect Jan. 1, 2018, and approved removing weight-limit signs from roads without bridges. A slate of Notary Public applicants was approved on the consent calendar. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

What happens next: motions and resolutions approved at this meeting will be reflected in formal resolutions and minutes available from the County Clerk's office.