Cheatham County approves budget transfers and multiple equipment purchases, unanimously

At its March 20, 2017 regular meeting in the General Sessions Courtroom in Ashland City, the Cheatham County Legislative Body approved several budget amendments and equipment purchases, including financing for three sheriff trucks and purchases for schools and public works.

Amber Locke, director of administration, told commissioners the county’s Federal Emergency Management Agency account balance is $105,381.32. The Budget Committee then recommended — and the body approved by roll call vote — issuance of a three‑year capital outlay note not to exceed $112,672.08 to buy three Ford F‑150 XL 4WD vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office.

The commission also approved transfers from the General Purpose Schools undesignated fund balance to cover computer upgrades ($125,000), GPS equipment for buses ($105,100) and emergency maintenance repairs ($140,000). A separate set of County General Fund amendments added modest allocations for items including Animal Control ($1,358.62), Courtroom Security ($2,100.00) and a $50,000 allocation to the Jail fund that the record states must not be repurposed for other uses.

For public works, commissioners authorized a Highway/Roads Fund transfer of $94,110 to purchase a 2018 Freightliner M2‑106 dump truck and approved a Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund transfer of $101,320.44 to acquire three self‑contained compactors/containers. The body also approved declaring several vehicles surplus (including a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria and a 1987 Ford Club Wagon) and a seized 2003 Ford F‑150 from the Drug Fund for sale, with proceeds to designated vehicle or sale accounts.

Capital improvements approved by the commission included $7,184.67 to install floor covering in the Agriculture Office, a $747 payment to United Structural Systems for work exceeding a contract depth clause at the Emergency Medical Services building, and $1,218 to install carpet in the Election Office conference room. The commission also authorized staff to proceed with specifications for security cameras at the Tucker Empson Building (budgeted at $2,000).

Sheriff Mike Breedlove told commissioners that drug overdose “is epidemic” in the county and asked commissioners to meet with Cope Architecture for a jail‑related workshop on April 3 at 6:00 p.m. Several of the approved financial measures are linked in the record to public‑safety and facility maintenance needs.

All roll‑call motions reported in the meeting minutes passed by recorded tallies of 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Eugene O. Evans, Sr. noted as absent) unless otherwise stated as voice votes.

The commission completed routine committee reports, approved a slate of notary applicants and adjourned at 7:35 p.m.