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Cheatham County adopts FY2026-27 budget, averts proposed property tax increase by reallocating school capital funds
Summary
The Cheatham County Legislative Body approved the FY2026-27 budget and a combined tax rate of 1.7530 after reallocating $1,144,568.64 from the Education Capital Projects Fund to eliminate a proposed property tax increase. The commission also approved related budget amendments and deferred education debt decisions to July.
The Cheatham County Legislative Body approved the county—udget for fiscal year 2026-27 and the combined property tax rate of 1.7530 after adopting amendments intended to avoid a proposed property tax increase.
Chairman Tim Williamson moved an amendment to reduce the proposed property tax increase to zero by reallocating $1,144,568.64 from the Education Capital Projects Fund (Fund 177). The motion passed by roll call vote, 7-5, after discussion by the County Mayor, the Finance Director and representatives of the Cheatham County School District about the potential impact on planned maintenance and capital projects. "The motion was made by Chairman Tim Williamson, seconded by Mr. Walter Weakley to amend the 2026-2027 Budget Document to reduce the proposed property tax increase to zero by reallocating $1,144,568.64 from the Education Capital Projects Fund Balance (Fund 177)," the minutes record.
The full budget document, appropriations schedule and nonprofit funding list were approved as amended (final roll call approving the amended budget 8-4). Commissioners also voted to remove the Education Debt section from the budget and defer consideration of changes to the Educational Debt Service Fund until the July meeting (9-3). The commission then approved the FY2026-27 tax levy by roll call, 12-0, adopting the combined county rate reflected in the minutes.
The adopted package included multiple line-item amendments across funds and transfers that were presented by the Director of Accounts and Budget Committee; the Board of Education had separately recorded votes on several school-related amendments. One specifically noted change funded two full-time court security officers by reallocating existing reserves and did not require additional property tax revenue.
Next steps: the commission deferred decisions about education debt service funding to the July workshop and the Finance Director and County Mayor will continue to report on the availability of fund balances and the effect on long-term school capital planning.
