Commission approves up to $680,000 in notes for Highway Department site after failed tabling attempt

Cheatham County commissioners on March 18 approved authorization for a three‑year land purchase and site development for a new Highway Department office and garage, authorizing capital outlay notes not to exceed $680,000.

The measure, moved by Commissioner David Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Walter Weakley, followed an earlier motion to table the authorization for 30 days so the county could place signs on the property. That tabling motion—made by Commissioner Gary Binkley and seconded by Commissioner Ann Jarreau—failed on a roll call vote (4 Yes, 8 No). After the failed tabling attempt, commissioners voted on the original authorization, which passed 9 Yes, 2 No, 1 Abstain. The roll-call recorded Ann Jarreau as the lone abstention.

Commissioners who opposed the tabling motion said they preferred to proceed without delay; those favoring the delay expressed a desire to provide notice to neighbors by marking the site. The transcript records the tabling attempt and the subsequent final vote but does not include a formal amendment to the authorization.

The Board’s action authorizes the mayor to proceed with the purchase and site‑development financing up to the $680,000 limit; further procurement or development steps were not recorded in detail and will require subsequent implementation steps and reporting by staff.

Next steps: the authorization permits the county to issue the capital outlay notes; the timeline for issuance, site acquisition, and construction was not specified in the meeting minutes.