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Cheatham County adopts 2019-2020 budgets and tax levies after split votes on education debt
Summary
The Cheatham County Legislative Body approved its 2019-2020 school and county budgets and several tax levies on July 22, 2019, after commissioners rejected two proposed increases to education debt and passed multiple fund and levy measures by roll-call votes.
Cheatham County commissioners approved the 2019-2020 School Fund, County General Fund and several tax levies during a special called session on July 22, 2019, in Ashland City.
The session began with a public forum in which resident Derrick Williams (District 2) urged a tax increase to support schools and the sheriff's office, and residents Jackson Shivers (District 4), Jim Cripps (District 3) and Dustin Knapp (District 4) spoke in opposition. After a brief recess the body reconvened and conducted a series of budget and levy votes.
Commissioner Gary Binkley moved and Commissioner David Anderson seconded approval of the 2019-2020 School Fund, which included the budget document, appropriations document and the supporting tax levy. Two amendments proposing increases to the education debt service—one adding $0.04 and another adding $0.03—were put forward and failed on roll-call votes (each 6 yes, 5 no, 1 absent). After the amendment attempts failed, the original school fund motion passed by roll-call vote 7-4 (1 absent).
The body approved multiple county funds, including Courthouse and Jail Maintenance (Fund 112), Solid Waste/Sanitation (Fund 116), Drug Control (Fund 122), Unemployment Compensation (Fund 130), Highway/Public Works (Fund 131), General Debt Service (Fund 151), General Capital Projects (Fund 171) and Other Capital Projects — Vehicles (Fund 178) by roll-call vote 11-0 (1 absent).
A motion to reject the proposed 2019-2020 Fire Tax Levy failed 2-9 (1 absent). Commissioners then amended the Kingston Springs Rural fire tax rate from 0.2900 to 0.2000 (Ed Greer motion, Randy Liles second), and approved the Fire Tax Levy as amended. The approved levy lists rates for multiple districts, including Ashland City Rural 0.2150, Kingston Springs Rural 0.2000, Pegram Rural 0.3100 and Pegram City 0.3100.
Commissioners considered the County General Fund (Fund 101) proposal at a proposed 4.22 cents to support the county budget. An amendment to reduce three additional jailor positions to two failed 1-10 (1 absent). The County General Fund passed by roll-call vote 8-3 (1 absent). For Other Capital Projects - Jail (Fund 180) commissioners approved an amendment to reserve interest in the jail fund and then approved the fund as amended.
The meeting concluded with approval of the overall 2019-2020 tax levy (combined total 2.4766) by roll-call vote 7-4 (1 absent). Commissioners adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Approve State's Certified Tax Rate: motion by Walter Weakley; passed 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Resolution 2). - School Fund (2019-2020): motion by Gary Binkley; two amendments to increase education debt by $0.04 and $0.03 failed (each 6-5-1 absent); original motion passed 7 yes, 4 no, 1 absent (Resolution 3). - Multiple county funds (Funds 112, 116, 122, 130, 131, 151, 171, 178): approved 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Resolution 4). - Motion to reject Fire Tax Levy: failed 2 yes, 9 no, 1 absent. - Kingston Springs Rural fire rate amended to 0.2000: passed 8 yes, 3 no, 1 absent (Resolution 5). - Fire Tax Levy as amended: passed 9 yes, 2 no, 1 absent (Resolution 6). - County General Fund (Fund 101): approved 8 yes, 3 no, 1 absent (Resolution 7); amendment to reduce jailors failed 1 yes, 10 no, 1 absent. - Other Capital Projects - Jail (Fund 180): interest-reserve amendment passed 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Resolution 8); fund approved as amended 8 yes, 3 no, 1 absent (Resolution 9). - Overall 2019-2020 Tax Levy (total 2.4766): approved 7 yes, 4 no, 1 absent (Resolution 10).
Attributions and context Resident Derrick Williams spoke in favor of a tax increase to fund schools and the sheriff's office. Resident Jackson Shivers, Resident Jim Cripps and Resident Dustin Knapp spoke in opposition during the public forum. Commissioner Walter Weakley moved the certified tax rate; Commissioner Gary Binkley led multiple budget motions, with Commissioner David Anderson frequently seconding. The full roll-call tallies and recorded votes are in the meeting minutes.
What happens next The approved budgets and levies were recorded as Resolutions 2 through 10 in the meeting minutes; the session adjourned at 6:27 p.m. There were no further procedural directions recorded in the minutes about implementation steps or dates.
