Cheatham County approves 2024–25 budget, certified tax rate and stepped increase in development tax to $5,000

Cheatham County approved its 2024–25 budget and related tax measures at a regular meeting June 24, with commissioners voting to certify tax rates and adopt a stepped increase in the county development tax that reaches $5,000 per lot or housing unit on Sept. 1, 2024.

The action followed a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. in which County Mayor Kerry McCarver described the proposed property tax increase and the documents that make up the proposed budget; no members of the public spoke for or against the proposal. At the evening session the legislative body completed a series of votes that together set the county’s spending plan and revenue structure for the coming fiscal year.

Why it matters: the development tax and certified levy fund local priorities including education debt service, school capital projects and county infrastructure. The commission approved a transfer of $1,000,000 from the General Purpose School fund balance into Education Capital Projects for repairs at Cheatham Central High School’s football stadium, and approved other budget amendments to cover trustee commission fees and ARP-funded utility projects.

Key approvals and votes

- The commission approved the main…