Cheatham County approves budget transfers, wheel-tax private act and several contracts; library nominations deferred

Cheatham County’s Legislative Body approved a series of budget amendments, contracts and policy updates during a 46-minute regular session on July 15 in Ashland City.

The commission voted unanimously (11–0, one absent) to move prior-year fund balances into the 2024–25 County General Fund and several capital funds, including $467,551.01 for county mayor, elections, sheriff and public-safety projects, $530,383.24 for highway and bridge maintenance and $1,247,875.87 for highway capital outlay. The roll-call votes on those amendments were taken after a recommendation by the Budget Committee and a presentation by Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts.

“These amendments reopen prior-year allocations so ongoing projects can be completed in the new fiscal year,” Batts told the body after presenting the line items included in the meeting packet. The motions to adopt the amendments carried by roll call, 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (see “Votes at a glance”).

The commission also approved three items that the county mayor was authorized to sign: a purchase and services agreement with Henry M. Adkins & Son, Inc. for Unisyn OpenElect voting equipment and support; an interlocal agreement with Bi-County Solid Waste Management for landfill disposal; and a secure-detention services contract with Madison County Juvenile Detention Services. All three mayoral-authority items passed by roll-call vote, 11–0 (1 absent).

The Adkins packet included pricing for voting hardware and associated annual software and maintenance fees (a purchase-line shown in the packet totaled about $91,404, with recurring annual licensing and maintenance schedules attached). The Bi-County interlocal agreement in the packet sets an initial disposal fee of $25.25 per ton for July 2024–June 2025 with an escalation schedule for subsequent years and a clause requiring County deliveries to average a minimum of 1,500 tons per month on a quarterly average (the agreement also allows Bi-County to invoice the county for shortfalls). The juvenile-detention agreement sets daily secure-detention rates and operational terms; the contract packet lists $185 per day as the regular charge.

Also on the agenda, the commission approved a county Wheel Tax Private Act by roll call (11–0, 1 absent). The private act, as recorded in the meeting packet, would authorize a county privilege tax on motor-driven vehicles (with specified exemptions) and set rules for collection and distribution of proceeds among county funds. County Attorney Michael Bligh led the item and advised commissioners on procedural details; he also reminded the body that “it would be best practice to keep all emails pertaining to the county on the county email; otherwise it opens personal emails for public record requests if used for county purposes.”

The body adopted an updated Occupational Safety and Health Program Plan (OSHA-style program plan under state rules) to formalize a safety director role and procedures for inspections, recordkeeping and training. The OSH plan and its plan-of-operation are appended to the official record.

Capital and community items included approval of a Safe Haven baby box at Pleasant View Fire Station No. 1 at a total cost of $21,000; Pleasant View pledged $5,000 toward the installation and the county will cover the remaining $16,000. Emergency Management maintenance upgrades were approved at $68,500, with the county mayor noting that specific bids will still require separate approval. A proposal to install a double canopy at the Health Department was discussed, then denied by the commission.

Calendar, Rules and Nominating business included a decision to defer Library Board trustee nominations until August following public comments concerning Kingston Springs Library governance. At the start of the meeting, two residents had urged the commission to investigate the Kingston Springs Library and its board; Jack Kapanka said “the Kingston Springs Library needs to be investigated,” and Lana Foster asked the commission to look into board appointments. The county attorney later told commissioners the body retains authority over pending library-board appointments. The commission did reappoint Amber Locke and Gina Anzaldua to the Rail Authority as recommended by committee.

Traffic and routine business included approval to reduce the speed limit on Bluebird Drive and Cardinal Drive in Pleasant View from 45 mph to 25 mph and the routine consent calendar (notaries and similar administrative items). The meeting closed after a few announcements and a flag-ceremony invitation; the body adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Votes at a glance • Budget amendments — County General Fund (Resolution 4): Approved by roll call, 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent. • Budget amendments — Highway/Public Works (Resolution 5): Approved by roll call, 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent. (Highway maintenance $530,383.24; capital outlay $1,247,875.87.) • Courthouse & Jail Maintenance Fund (Resolution 6): Approved 11–0–1 (transfer $3,700.83). • General Capital Projects (Resolution 7): Approved 11–0–1 ($298,427.37). • Vehicle Fund (Resolution 8): Approved 11–0–1 ($77,526.63). • Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund (Resolution 9): Approved 11–0–1 ($1,297.83). • Mayor-authorized agreements (Resolution 10(A–C)): Adkins election agreement; Bi-County interlocal; Madison County detention contract — all approved 11–0–1. • Wheel Tax Private Act (Resolution 11): Approved by roll call, 11–0–1. • Occupational Safety & Health Program Plan (Resolution 12): Approved by roll call, 11–0–1. • Safe Haven baby box at Pleasant View (Resolution 14): Approved by roll call, 11–0–1 ($21,000 total; $5,000 Pleasant View; $16,000 county). • EMA maintenance upgrades (Resolution 15): Approved by roll call, 11–0–1 ($68,500). • Deny double canopy at Health Department (Resolution 16): Approved 11–0–1. • Defer Library Board nominations until August (Resolution 17): Approved by voice vote (1 absent). • Reappointments to Rail Authority (Resolution 18): Approved by voice vote (1 absent). • Speed limit changes for Bluebird Drive and Cardinal Drive (Resolution 19): Approved by voice vote (1 absent). • Consent calendar (Resolution 20) and adjourn (Resolution 21): Approved by voice vote (1 absent).

Why it matters The meeting moved routine and fiscal housekeeping that will allow previously budgeted projects to proceed in FY 2024–25, formalized contracts that affect elections equipment and county solid-waste disposal, and set local policy on workplace safety and a vehicle privilege tax that — if implemented under the private-act language included in the packet — would create a new recurring local revenue stream. Public questions about the Kingston Springs Library governance were raised during public comment and commissioners deferred nominations to the library board pending further consideration.

What’s next Items that require further administrative follow-up include finalizing vendor bids for EMA upgrades, executing the contracts approved for elections equipment and solid-waste disposal, and the scheduled August meeting when library-board nominations will be reconsidered. The official texts of the resolutions and attached contracts are part of the meeting packet and record.