Cheatham County approves Sycamore Square office renovation, budget transfers and board appointments

At its Jan. 24 meeting in Ashland City, the Cheatham County Legislative Body approved a range of administrative and budget actions, including a renovation at Sycamore Square, multiple budget amendments, the surplus and disposition of two county vehicles and appointments to zoning and planning boards.

The commission approved a renovation to add a wall and create an accounting office at Sycamore Square. The project will be funded from Sycamore Square reserve funds; the motion to approve, moved by Commissioner Diana Pike Lovell and seconded by Commissioner Chris Gilmore, passed by roll call, 8‑0.

Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented several budget amendments that the commission approved, including transfers in the County General Fund to cover a motor‑vehicle purchase for Special Patrols/Jail ($16,950) and the reallocation of small donations to library book lines (Cheatham County Library $200; South Cheatham Library $100). A $6,985.38 Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant was moved to cover sheriff overtime for road‑block payroll. The E‑911 budget was adjusted to reinstate an Assistant Director position with an associated $21,010 transfer; the record states the Assistant Director position is fully reimbursed by the E‑911 Board. The Highway/Public Works fund moved $25,000 from other contracted services into overtime to cover work associated with the recent tornado and snow storms.

The commission also authorized surplusing a 2013 Dodge Charger (motor issues; estimated $4,000 to repair) and a 2005 Chevrolet crew cab, with any proceeds to be deposited into the Other Capital Projects—Vehicle Fund. The meeting record shows these surplus actions were approved by roll call, 8‑0.

The body recognized a $50,000 donation from Ryan Upchurch to the Ark in Pegram. Commissioners approved appointments and reinstatements to the Zoning Appeals Board and the Planning Commission; items on the consent calendar, including Emergency Management requests for the School Board Building ($82,000) and an EMA storage building ($62,300), the Road & Bridge 2022 Road List and a technical committee demonstration of the voting machine for the commission next month, were approved by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.