Cheatham County approves budget amendments, creates Lieutenant of Narcotics position and reallocates education funds

Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts presented the Budget Committee’s recommendations and the commission approved a set of budget amendments and personnel changes at the April 15 meeting.

The body approved amendments to County General Fund line items including small adjustments to jail, juvenile and library accounts and a $100,000 amendment for the jail. The motion to authorize the listed budget amendments was moved by Diana Pike Lovell and seconded by David Anderson and passed by roll-call vote 12–0.

In related action, the commission authorized creating the title “Lieutenant of Narcotics” to replace one Investigator position and approved pay supplementation to reflect the title change. The action included transferring $1,099.52 from the Drug Control Fund to the County General Fund for the Sheriff’s Department. The motion (moved by Eugene O. Evans, Sr., seconded by Diana Pike Lovell) passed 12–0.

The body also authorized declaring certain Animal Control equipment surplus (a 1971 Hyster fork lift and a 1991 Ford van, both reported as nonfunctional) and directed their sale or recycling with proceeds to the County General Fund (motion by David Anderson, seconded by Tim Williamson; vote 12–0).

Separately, the Education Committee recommended moving $375,000 from Education Debt Service—funds originally intended for land purchase—toward monies needed for a bus garage; the commission approved that action by roll-call vote 12–0.

The meeting record shows routine departmental reports (schools, extension, veterans) and a consent list approving notary applicants; with no further business the body adjourned at 7:33 p.m.