Dickson County Commission approves zoning amendment after initial defeat, OKs land purchases and borrowing measures

The Dickson County Commission approved a contested amendment to the county zoning resolution and a series of other measures during its May 18, 2026 regular meeting in Charlotte.

The body passed Resolution 05-2026-02, an amendment addressing sanitary or hazardous waste facility standards, the special-exception procedure for mining activities, and the definition of mining activities, after the motion initially failed and, following further discussion, carried by a majority vote of 8 to 4. Commissioners Cindi Gray (mover) and Mike Petty (seconder) led the motion. Public commenters Ellen Yancey and Jason Holleman had told the commission they supported amending the zoning resolution during the public comment period.

The vote was one of several formal actions taken at the meeting. The commission unanimously approved Resolution 05-2026-01 to accept dedication of a private road known as Hunter Trail onto the county road map and to maintain it as a county road. The body set a 35 mph speed limit on Murrell Road via Resolution 05-2026-03 and authorized a $12.50 court cost charge under T.C.A. §40-3-106 through Resolution 05-2026-04; both measures passed by unanimous aye voice votes.

The commission also approved two land purchases: a 58.66-acre property along Furnace Hollow Road for $1,200,000 (Resolution 05-2026-05) and a 2.34-acre parcel on Pond Circle Road for $5,000 (Resolution 05-2026-06). Both purchases were approved by unanimous voice votes.

Without objection, the commission suspended rules to consider three additional fiscal measures. It authorized issuance of interest-bearing ambulance equipment acquisition capital outlay notes, Series 2026, not to exceed $272,288 (Resolution 05-2026-07), and interest-bearing Highway Department capital outlay notes, Series 2026, not to exceed $1,250,000 (Resolution 05-2026-08). The commission also authorized certain amendments to all county funds except those established for schools (Resolution 05-2026-09). Each borrowing/authorization resolution passed by unanimous aye voice vote.

In other business, the commission confirmed appointments to the 911 Board (Steve Scherer, Tiffany Dawson Lane, Chuck Boyd and Tony Adams) and to the Library Board of Trustees (Andrea Beaubien, Tammy Kilgore and Lynette Edmondson). It approved quarterly financial reports for school funds and, separately, all other county funds. A slate of local notaries was approved by unanimous vote.

The commission heard two requests that were referred for staff study: a recommended speed-limit study for Old County House Road, made by Commissioner Randy Simpkins, and a recommended speed-limit study for Slaydenwood Road, made by Commissioner Dwight McIllwain. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 P.M.; the commission announced a Budget Committee meeting and public hearing on June 1, 2026 and the next regular session on June 22, 2026.

Votes at a glance

- 05-2026-02 (Zoning amendment): Passed, 8–4 (motion: Commissioner Cindi Gray; second: Commissioner Mike Petty). Public comment in favor noted from Ellen Yancey and Jason Holleman. - 05-2026-01 (Hunter Trail dedication): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Carl Buckner; second: Commissioner Ray Ledger). - 05-2026-03 (Murrell Road speed limit to 35 mph): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Carl Buckner; second: Commissioner Dwight McIllwain). - 05-2026-04 (Authorize $12.50 clerk charge per T.C.A. §40-3-106): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Cindi Gray; second: Commissioner Mike Petty). - 05-2026-05 (Purchase 58.66 acres on Furnace Hollow Road for $1,200,000): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Ray Ledger; second: Commissioner Danny Williams). - 05-2026-06 (Purchase 2.34 acres on Pond Circle Road for $5,000): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Mike Petty; second: Commissioner Dwight McIllwain). - 05-2026-07 (Ambulance equipment notes, up to $272,288): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Randy Simpkins; second: Commissioner Dwight McIllwain). - 05-2026-08 (Highway department notes, up to $1,250,000): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Jody Britt; second: Commissioner Becky Spicer). - 05-2026-09 (Authorize budget amendments to all funds except schools): Passed, unanimous voice vote (motion: Commissioner Dwight McIllwain; second: Commissioner Randy Simpkins).

What happened next: the commission approved notaries, confirmed appointments to local boards, set meeting dates for upcoming budget review and adjourned at 7:36 P.M.