Property committee approves 2026-27 county building operating budget and property capital plan

The Williamson County Property Committee approved the county building operating budget for 2026–27 and a property management capital budget on March 25.

Property-management staff told the committee they met the budget committee’s requested 5% reduction. "We've met the 5% decrease requested by the budget committee," the property manager said, and described cuts that included reduced in‑staff training and travel while shifting funds between utility lines to account for variable heating and cooling costs.

A committee member asked about a reduction in the communications line, which had been $49,000; staff said the decrease reflected the longer lifespan of previously purchased iPads for technicians and lower equipment replacement needs. The property manager said the county’s work-order system now relies on those iPads, reducing equipment-replacement requests.

On the capital side, staff outlined a five-year plan that includes buying a forklift to support a new surplus location at the TMA garage on Columbia Avenue (the former highway department site next to Moody's). Staff said the county has downsized warehouse space and needs the forklift to load and offload surplus equipment; they also reduced other routine capital items, such as some AC, roof and blacktop replacements, to keep the overall request light.

Committee members discussed leasing versus purchasing the forklift; staff said purchasing made more sense given uncertain scheduling and the equipment’s expected usage pattern. The committee unanimously approved both the operating and capital requests by voice vote.

The committee also approved the Feb. 25 meeting minutes earlier in the session. The meeting then moved on to other business and updates.