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Cheatham County commissioners recognize 911 telecommunicators, approve zoning changes and budget moves
Summary
At the March 17 Cheatham County Legislative Body meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution recognizing emergency telecommunicators as first responders; they also approved three zoning changes, multiple budget amendments including school-to-capital transfers, several appointments, and contract and compensation actions.
Cheatham County commissioners met March 17 in Ashland City and approved a slate of routine and policy items, including a unanimous resolution recognizing emergency telecommunicators as First Responders and a set of zoning and budget actions.
The meeting opened with a brief public forum during which Terry Lowe of the 5th District spoke in favor of a property-tax freeze for residents age 65 and older. Commissioners then moved through consent and procedural items and turned to new business, beginning with a resolution to recognize emergency telecommunicators.
The motion to adopt the telecommunicators resolution was made by Commissioner B.J. Hudspeth and seconded by Commissioner Chris Gilmore. The resolution, which the body approved by roll-call vote of 9-0 (three commissioners absent), urges state and federal efforts to reclassify emergency telecommunicators as First Responders and cites the pending federal "911 Saves Act." The text describes telecommunicators' duties and the mental-health stress many face and says the county supports reclassification at the state and federal level.
On land-use matters, the commission approved three advertised zoning changes after a public hearing produced no speakers for or against the requests. Motions carried by roll-call vote 9-0 (three absent) to: - change Map 23, Parcel 88.01 (5445 Hwy 41A, Demers) from C5 to C1; - change a 1.92-acre portion of Map 26, Parcel 47.09 (1139 Pardue Rd., Bischoff) from Agriculture to R1; and - change a 1.5-acre portion of Map 12, Parcel 7.02 (Old Clarksville Pike, Fox) from E1 to R1.
Budget items were next. Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts and the Budget Committee presented multiple amendments to the County General Fund to move money for Circuit Court equipment ($4,100), to transfer law-enforcement training grant funds into payroll ($40,800), to reimburse EMS payroll associated with a local event ($600), and to allocate a $1,000 donation for animal control. Commissioners approved the County General Fund amendments by roll-call vote 9-0 (three absent). They also approved a $180,000 transfer from the General Purpose School fund balance into Education Capital Projects to purchase marquees for the middle schools (school board vote 5-0-1), again by roll-call 9-0 (three absent).
The commission authorized the mayor to hire an architect to work with Veterans Service Officer Angela Hunt on a redesign of the VSO office, authorizing an initial $29,155.16 from the VSO reserve. The commission also approved several mayoral appointments and confirmations, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that designates the Cheatham County Community Enhancement Coalition as the fiscal agent for reimbursement of eligible expenses under a SAMHSA Treatment Drug Courts grant. The MOU identifies Laura Durham as the Coalition's point of contact and directs that the County submit monthly invoices for reimbursement.
On contracts and personnel-related items, the body approved a revised Tax Management Associates auditing contract for the Assessor's office that raises per-audit fees effective July 1, 2025 (examples included in the TMA proposal: A-6 accounts from $700 to $825; A-7 from $800 to $925; D-class accounts over $5 million from $5,200 to $6,000). The commission also approved compensation terms for the county's delinquent tax attorney, hiring Martha Brooke Perry to assist the Trustee on a contingency basis of 10% of the base amount collected for the period April 1, 2025'March 31, 2026.
Other votes included a $4,800 repair to the Kingston Springs Library deck, the appointment of Jake Fulghum to the Industrial Development Board, a request that the state rename a portion of State Highway 249 as the "Deputy Lee Roy Happel Memorial Highway," and the removal of two stop signs at Blue Springs Road and Peter Pond Road. A consent calendar approving several notary public applicants closed the meeting; the commission adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
The meeting record shows most motions passed unanimously by roll-call (9-0) with three commissioners absent. Where votes were recorded, the minutes list individual yes/no/absent positions. No substantive debate opposing the motions is recorded in the minutes.
Next procedural steps: the MOU and contract revisions will be filed per county procedure and the VSO architect engagement will be managed by the County Mayor's office. The zoning changes are effective as recorded in the resolutions.
