Cheatham County approves broad budget amendments, school notes and one-time employee supplements

Cheatham County commissioners on Oct. 21 approved multiple budget amendments and financing steps that county leaders and school officials said are needed to advance capital projects, repair county facilities and implement a recently completed salary study.

Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented the packet of amendments on behalf of the Budget Committee, including a $126,693.42 American Rescue Plan Act (TDEC utilities) passthrough to Second South Cheatham Utility District, a $109,890 transfer from the Solid Waste Fund to repair asphalt at three convenience centers (with $85,445 reimbursable via convenience-center grant), and a set of transfers to establish budgets for school vocational equipment and Innovative School Models grant implementation. Batts told the commission these are budget-implementation actions and many items were recommended by the Budget Committee.

The commission also authorized an $800,000 projected investment income credit tied to General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 for the jail project, and approved disposal of 30 expired ballistic vests from EMS once replacements arrive.

Votes at a glance (selected motions adopted Oct. 21): - Resolution 4 (County General Fund amendments including EMS triathlon reimbursement & ARP passthrough): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 5 (General Capital Projects carryover for Animal Control generator): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 6 (Other Capital Projects—Vehicles fund transfers for patrol car equipment): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 7 (Solid Waste convenience center asphalt repairs): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 8 (General Purpose School Fund allocations, ISM grant implementation): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 9 (Surplus of 30 EMS ballistic vests): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). - Resolution 10 (Jail fund investment income revision tied to bond proceeds): Approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent).

Salary-study funding and one-time supplements

The meeting also addressed funding needed to implement a countywide salary study presented in a workshop Oct. 10. The Budget Committee asked the commission to approve transfers from County General and Solid Waste fund balances to cover the study implementation and a proposed one-time supplement program (a gross $1,000 supplement for eligible full-time employees and $500 for eligible part-time employees). The motion to authorize funding for implementation lines passed, but recorded roll-call notes show one abstention on some items (final budget-record sections list 8 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 1 Abstain for certain motions). The commission discussed effective dates and payroll timing; the funding motion explicitly covered the budget transfers only—the salary study’s operational implementation remains subject to a separate final personnel action.

Interfund capital notes for schools

Following earlier School Board approvals, the commission authorized two interfund capital outlay notes: up to $2,867,462 for Cheatham County Central High School HVAC replacement and up to $250,000 for school paving and restriping. Both motions were approved by roll call (9 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent). The resolutions state notes will be issued as interfund loans from Education Debt Service to Education Capital Projects, subject to Comptroller approval.

Why it matters

The net effect of Thursday’s actions is to move previously authorized grant proceeds and bond-related investment income into project accounts, authorize financing steps for large school capital needs, and create funding lines to move forward with a salary-study implementation if the commission later approves the operational personnel actions. Several of the finance votes are routine budget housekeeping; the salary-study funding and the school HVAC note represent larger near-term fiscal commitments.

What happens next

Many of the budget motions require administrative follow-up (e.g., pass-through payments, procurement for asphalt repairs and equipment purchases). The salary-study implementation still requires a separate motion for personnel changes. The school HVAC note requires Comptroller approval before sale.