Friday Recap for April 4, 2025
This past week:
- The budget Committee met on Monday and Tuesday to consider a number of department budgets.
- The Parks and Recreation Committee met on Tuesday to consider the 25-26 budget.
There is so much going on in the General Assembly right now, and I concentrate on Williamson County, so I will leave it to you to go here to see what is going on. It is a very confusing site for first-time users. You can see all the hearings scheduled for both the house and the senate. You can pull up bills by sponsors, numbers, or subject. There is a lot to see and, frankly, it takes some time to learn to navigate the site.
I do want to focus on two bills that I think are important for Williamson County. The first is HB886/SB777. These bills would require that people pick a party when they register to vote. One of the ongoing problems with our primary system is crossover voting. As it stands now, democrats can vote in republican primaries and vice versa. Conservatives have been trying for years to get this type of law passed and have always failed.
We thought that things would be different this year as both Jack Johnson, senate majority leader, and Lee Reeves, freshman representative, co-sponsored these bills. Ultimately, both bills have failed. In particular, the senate version couldn't even get a second in the senate state and local government committee last Tuesday. Think about that. For lack of a second, the bill dies right there on the spot without any debate or discussion.
The second is HB855/SB799, which is sponsored by Lee Reeves and Jack Johnson respectively. This bill takes away the right of a political party to pick a candidate for public office by a convention/caucus. This is an infringement of the right of a private party to choose its leaders. Conventions prevent outside influence from deciding the outcome of an election. They are, by their vary nature, restrictive. I get that, but what is the alternative? It is either that or democrats deciding who are leaders will be, so choose your poison. If you would like to see how Steve Hickey was treated by senator Gardenhire, go here and scroll down to SB0799 on the left. Gardenhire starts at 1:13:57.
The irony of this whole thing is that we have been trying to pass a law that requires people to register as republican, democrat or independent so that crossover voting is prevented. The bills that would have accomplished this have failed. But the bills to restrict how a party can choose a candidate are flying through both houses. What gives?
I have both the Williamson County Citizen and Truthwire News sites listed below and I highly recommend both if you want to get deeper into the current issues.
- Enjoying Friday Recap? Take a minute now and forward it to 3 people.
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe now. 👇
Williamson County School District
There were no meetings this week.
Next Week:
The Policy Committee will meet on Monday at 6:00 pm in Williamson County Administrative Complex Training Center, 1st Floor
1320 West Main Suite 202 Agenda. To listen to the audio of this meeting, go here at 6:00 pm on Monday or anytime thereafter.
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
Williamson County Commission
On Monday the Budget Committee met to review the Sheriff Department's 25-26 budget.
AI Summary:
Overview
- Sheriff's department presented $25,908,413 budget with 13.8% increase, primarily for salary adjustments and technology investments
- Committee approved all five sheriff's budgets with amendment to remove $280,000 for additional jail nurse, allowing sheriff to return with alternative proposal by May 5th
- County faces overall $14 million budget increase across all departments with only 2% revenue growth, potentially requiring tax increase
- Sheriff implementing new license plate reader camera systems with 11 Vigilant cameras on state routes and 5 additional Flock cameras on county roads
- Special Operations building construction on track for completion by mid-September 2025, with approximately $400,000 in cost savings identified
Salary study and compensation adjustments
- Sheriff's office implemented salary study at 65th percentile to improve competitiveness
- Starting pay increased to remain competitive for recruiting new deputies
- Only 93 of 350 staff received adjustments to minimum pay levels, with 164 receiving tenure-based increases
- Law enforcement committee requested additional cost estimates for 75th, 85th, and 95th percentiles
- Competing agencies like Franklin and Brentwood currently at 75th-85th percentile compensation levels
Overtime costs and management
- Overtime budget increased proportionally with salary increases
- Special events (Renaissance Fair, rodeo, school events) contribute significantly to overtime costs
- Sheriff exploring alternative work schedules and stipends instead of overtime for Field Training Officers
- School events reimbursed at $50/hour minimum, though this doesn't fully cover overtime costs for higher-paid deputies
- Court services overtime remains challenging due to judges' schedules, though reserve officers helping reduce some costs
Special Operations building and utilities
- New budget includes utilities for Special Operations building that weren't previously in sheriff's budget
- Building houses SWAT, Swift Water Rescue, Honor Guard, helicopters, fleet vehicles, and approximately $6-7 million in equipment
- New facility construction tracking $100,000-400,000 in savings despite Franklin city code requirements adding $300,000 in costs
- Building scheduled for completion mid-September 2025
Software and technology investments
- Sheriff requested $50,000 for lobbying services to monitor legislation affecting law enforcement
- Data processing budget includes new software systems:
- Peargren crime data analysis software to improve data collection and searching across platforms
- Employee performance software to replace existing system
- Fleet management software to track maintenance and inventory
- Sheriff emphasized investing in software to improve efficiency and potentially reduce future staffing needs
License plate reader camera systems
- Currently have 6 Flock cameras on county roads at $15,000 annual cost
- Adding 11 Vigilant cameras on state routes through violent crime initiative grant
- Requesting 5 additional Flock cameras to increase coverage on county roads
- Committee approved $5,000 amendment to cover actual costs for Vigilant cameras
- Data retention limited to 30 days for Flock and 90 days for Vigilant systems
- Systems helped intercept homicide suspect from Murfreesboro recently
Jail medical staffing proposal
- Sheriff requested $280,000 for additional nurse to provide 12-hour night coverage
- Currently only one nurse works night shift, creating staffing challenges and potential liability issues
- Committee removed funding but invited sheriff to return with alternative proposals by May 5th
- Alternative 40-hour week nurse option would cost $132,000
- Committee members suggested exploring telemedicine options and alternative vendors
Budget approval process
- Total county budget increase of $14 million represents 8.9% growth with only 2% revenue increase
- Committee approved sheriff's main budget at $25,908,413 (with $5,000 amendment)
- Traffic control budget approved at $376,365
- Jail corrections budget approved at $11,620,202 (after removing nurse funding)
- Workhouse litter crew budget approved at $247,063
- Drug enforcement budget approved at $196,150
On Tuesday, the Budget committee met to review several department budgets.
AI Summary:
Overview
- Committee approved $3,000 transfer from juvenile court clerk's contract services to office supplies
- Committee approved $30,862 transfer from IT department's communications line to other contracted services for state partnership project
- Highway fund budget of $15,874,597 approved with $11,000 increase for safety toe boots for employees
- Employee benefits budget of $27,932,846 approved with $1,199,737 increase, including state retirement rate increase from 8.46% to 8.77%
- General debt service budget of $67,081,676 approved with $5,229,807 increase (8.5%) for upcoming fiscal year
- Rural debt service budget of $42,198,228 approved with $10,559,883 increase, including $10,390,000 more in principal payments
Budget transfers approval
- Committee approved juvenile court clerk's request to transfer $3,000 from contract services to office supplies
- Committee approved Insurance and Risk Management's request to move funds from excess risk insurance to building and contents insurance
- Committee approved IT department's request to transfer $30,862 from communications to other contracted services for state partnership project
- Committee approved animal control center's request to transfer $500 from communication to software license for increased license fees
- Committee approved clerk and master's request to transfer $400 from printing to dues for increased membership costs
- Committee approved solid waste request to transfer $114,000 to multiple line items: $5,000 for gasoline, $39,000 for electricity, $1,000 for water, $40,000 for equipment repair, and $29,000 for vehicle repair
- Participant 5 explained the $39,000 for electricity will help cover costs for new HECO evaporator system estimated at $13,000 per month
Highway fund budget
- Committee approved highway fund budget of $15,874,597
- Budget includes $11,000 increase for safety toe boots for employees under uniforms line item
- Insurance allocations were adjusted between excess risk insurance and building and contents insurance lines
- State retirement rate increased from 8.46% to 8.77%, adding $39,000 in costs
Agricultural and natural resources budget
- Committee approved agricultural and natural resources budget
- Budget includes final transition of seventh position to cost-share between UT, TSU, and the county
- Cost-share includes health insurance budgeted at $10,500 maximum potential (for family coverage)
Soil conservation budget
- Committee approved soil conservation budget with $2,810 increase for secretary position's raise and additional longevity
Economic development budget
- Committee approved economic development budget of $400,000 in county funds
- Participant 8 noted the $400,000 has remained flat for five or six years
- Participant 4 abstained from vote, suggesting seeking more funding from municipalities to make funding more equitable
- Participant 7 noted economic development announced projects last year with over $1 million in investment and 165 total jobs
TMA public transportation budget
- Committee approved TMA public transportation budget
- Budget decreased slightly from previous year
- Participant 9 confirmed the grant funds are secure as they are already obligated
- Participant 9 noted they received CARES funding that helped offset expenses and allowed them to save funds
Benefits department budget
- Committee approved benefits department budget
- Only increases were for longevity and recommended salary increases
Dues and memberships budget
- Committee approved dues and memberships budget of $102,651 with $2,697 increase
- Greater Nashville Regional Council dues increased by $1,160
- Metropolitan Planning Organization dues increased by over $1,500
- Participant 5 explained these organizations base dues on population and provide regional planning services
Employee benefits budget
- Committee approved employee benefits budget of $27,932,846 with $1,199,737 increase
- State retirement rate increased from 8.46% to 8.77% based on actuarial valuation
- Life insurance increased 0.8% to cover nine sheriff positions approved mid-year
- Medical insurance budgeted at $13,000 per employee for 1,073 individuals in general fund
- Participant 3 noted approximately 1,600 retirees are on the medical plan
General debt service
- Committee approved general debt service budget of $67,081,676 with $5,229,807 increase (8.5%)
- Principal on bonds for county general side increased by $3,460,000 (16.9%)
- Education principle for bonds increased by $635,000
- Interest on bonds for general projects increased by $1,039,131
- Interest on education bonds increased by $32,476
- Trustee commissions increased by $63,000
Rural debt service
- Committee approved rural debt service budget of $42,198,228 with $10,559,883 increase
- Principal payments for K-8 education bonds increased by $10,390,000 (68%)
- Interest increased by $169,883
The Parks and Recreation Committee met on Tuesday.
I voted in favor of their operating budget which included a 17% raise for the department head. This was done as a result of a salary comparison study with other counties and cities that indicated that we were paying significantly less than we should for this position. On the capital budget, I voted abstain because I want to start having conversations about our ever increasing debt. Chris Richards voted no for the same reason.
On Wednesday the Highway Commission, agenda, met at the Highway Department building on Beasley St. No further information at this time.
On Thursday, the Public Health Committee was cancelled due to the weather.
Next Week:
The Planning Commission is meeting on Thursday Packet at 5:30 pm at the Williamson County Administrative Office Complex
1st Floor Main Auditorium
1320 West Main Street
Franklin.
The Public Health Committee is meeting on Thursday at 5:30 pm in the executive conference room in the county building at 1320 W. Main in Franklin.
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
Board of Mayor and Aldermen
The Transit Authority met on Tuesday, agenda. I have no further information.
Next Week:
On Tuesday, The Beer Board agenda at 4:00 pm, BOMA Work Session agenda at 4:30 pm and BOMA at 7:00 pm All three meetings will be held in Williamson County Administrative Office Complex
1st Floor Auditorium
1320 West Main Street
Franklin
Budget and finance committee meets on Thursday Sustainability Commission meets on Friday. Detail for both can be found here
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
Election Commission
The Commission met on Thursday, agenda at 4:00 pm at 405 Downs Blvd., Franklin.
- Commissioner Doug Grindstaff was not in the meeting and has left the commission. His position is open at the moment.
- Jonathan Duda did not provide any information on his replacement, which he said was up to the Tennessee State Election Commission. That’s true.
- They approved the early voting and election day poll locations for the May 6, 2025 City of Brentwood municipal election
- They introduced James (Jim) Adkins as the new Republican machine technician.
- He reported he has a technical background and research validates that. He is retired.
- They discussed a proposed county commission amendment regarding temporary political signs during elections on county property
- It sounds like the 100’ boundary is still in effect.
- Past that, signs cannot be stuck in the ground on the remainder of the property. They can be hung on a tent or placed in a chair.
- If the property is, say, a school, the county will oversee adherence to this.
- If the property is private property, such as a church, the proprietor is monitoring what will and won’t be allowed beyond the 100’ boundary.
- The WCEC endorsed the policy.
- We have asked for a copy of the amendment so we can better understand this and better articulate the “rules.” Some are still unclear.
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
If not me, who?
If not now, when?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
“We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer gently.” (1st Corinthians 4:12-13)
Blessings,
Bill
Community resources
If you like Friday Recap, check out these other grassroots conservative projects!
- Williamson County Citizens is a volunteer network of local voters that elect grassroots conservatives to public office.
- TruthWire News covers a broad spectrum of political and governmental issues, from the actions of your local school board and county commissioners to the machinations of city councils and state government officials.
- Tennessee Voters for Election Integrity is helping restore confidence in Tennessee Elections.
- Williamson County Republican Party is one of the most active parties in the state and captures the conservative heart of Tennessee.
- Mom's For Liberty Williamson County is dedicated to fighting for the American family by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
- Tennessee Stands produces video media, podcasts, and live events, and provides social commentary on relevant issues in our state.
- M4LU is a new site developed by the national Mom's for Liberty but generated right here in Williamson County. The mission of M4LU is to to inform, equip, and empower parents with knowledge, understanding and practical tools.
- WCSB Substack. This site reports on the Williamson County School Board meetings. It provides accurate summaries of all WCSB meetings.
Help educate citizens of Williamson County
Want to support Friday Recap? Forward this newsletter to 3 people and invite them to subscribe.
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe now by clicking below.