Friday Recap October 10th, 2025

District 7 wrap up

Here are the results of the District 7 primaries. District 7 results county by county results. Van Epps won by a wide margin 19,001, to 9,335.

In trying to understand the impact that the Trump endorsement had on the race between Jody Barrett and Matt Van Epps. I looked at several counties where I could find both early and day of counts. Most of the counties don't have that information available but the three that do are:

Williamson County results:

As you can see, Williamson County flipped for Van Epps on election day. Jody had the lead after early voting, but Epps got almost twice as many votes on election day.

District 7 General election

The general election is December 2nd. We must all get behind Van Epps. We cannot let the democrats flip this seat. The total Republican vote count in the district was 36,854 and the total for Democrats was 31,002. The difference is only 5,852 votes. The Democrats are energized and focused on turning District 7 blue. Based on the numbers, it is not a stretch to say that we are currently a purple district. This is not a time to let up; we have work to do to make sure that Van Epps wins and wins overwhelmingly. Early Voting runs from November 12th to the 26th. Election Day is December 2nd.

The Democrat opponent is Aftyn Behn. At this point, based on the numbers in the primary, Van Epps holds an 18% lead, but if we become complacent and convince ourselves that District 7 is solidly red, we could conceivably lose this seat, which would be a disaster for Tennessee and the country as a whole. Only 15.98% of registered voters in Williamson County voted in the primary, we need to make sure we get out the vote. It is time to pull together and support Van Epps.

BOMA Election

Early voting ends on the 23rd and election day is the 28th. All four wards are up this cycle, but only 2 and 4 have more than one candidate.

Matt Brown is the incumbent in Ward 2 and his challenger is Errin Watkins. Patrick Baggett is the incumbent in Ward 4 and his challengers are Rodney Taylor and BK Muvvala. The Williamson County Republican Party held a forum to which all but Matt Brown attended; to watch it go to Forum to hear what the candidates have to say.

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The AI program I use is pretty accurate, but it does make mistakes from time to time and I don't always catch them. I provide agendas and videos/audios when I have them available and recommend that you watch the video and follow along with the summary to get the most accurate report.

One of the limitations of AI is that if a participant's name is not called out, then they are listed as participant 1, 2, etc. A limitation with audio, as opposed to video, is that one cannot always identify a person by voice alone. As imperfect as these AI summaries are, they still give a pretty good account of a meeting.

Williamson County School District

Thursday October 16th

School Board Work Session will meet at 6:00 PM in the Professional Development Center located at 1761 West Main Street, Franklin Agenda Video starts at 6:00pm and thereafter.

Williamson County Commission

Monday October 6th

Budget Committee met Resolutions Transfers Minutes Video

Committee members: Chas Morton (Chair), Guy Carden, Betsy Hester, Paul Web, Mayor Anderson. Commissioner Carden was absent.

AI Summary

Overview

• Committee approved 12 budget transfers and resolutions totaling over $67 million in appropriations and bond authorizations
• Approved $66.3 million in bond issuances for school and county projects—net debt increase of only $1.86 million due to $64.3 million in retiring debt
• Health Department received $85,072 in additional funding due to state reimbursement caps limiting raises to 4% versus county's 7% increases
• Conference center contract extended 10 years (total 12 years) to support $500,000 in bookings beyond current October 2027 expiration
• Sheriff's office secured $245,224 for mental health transport program and $25,600 for 3-year K9 facility lease during special ops building construction

Budget transfers approval

• Committee approved surplus vehicle transfer from property department to requesting department
• Phoebe transferred funds from solid waste building improvements to equipment purchases after 2022 shop expansion project was put on hold
• Sheriff's office received approval for helicopter transport trailer to move aircraft for events like Leapers Fork Christmas parade and maintenance transport

Conference center contract extension

• Committee approved 10-year extension of Brothers Hotel Partners LLC operating agreement for Cool Springs conference center
• Dan Harrington explained extension needed for Chartwell's refinancing with only 2 years remaining on current agreement
• Center already booked $500,000 worth of business beyond October 2027 expiration date
• City of Franklin previously approved the extension—county and Franklin each own 50% of facility under 1996 agreement

TMA vanpool funding

• Committee appropriated $100,000 from reserve account for Transportation Management Association vehicle purchases
• Phoebe confirmed funds held in investment account specifically for TMA vehicles
• Revenue from recently surplused vehicles will return to same reserve account

Health department salary shortfall

• Kathy requested $85,072 for salary costs not covered by state contract reimbursement
• Tennessee Department of Health capped reimbursement at 4% raises while county approved 7% increases
• State also limits reimbursement to 7.5 hours daily versus county's 8-hour workday
• First time in 45 years health department needed additional county funding for state contract positions

Court program grant funding

• Committee approved $95,941 rollover from Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council funds for DUI Recovery Court
• Approved $363,876 in new state grant funds for General Sessions DUI Court
• Approved $383,642 in new state grant funds for Veterans Treatment Court
• All court grants require no county matching funds

Employee benefits provider changes

• Janice reported United Healthcare selected for retiree Medicare supplement coverage, saving money for both county and retirees
• CIGNA selected as new dental provider effective January 2026, providing savings for county and employees
• Benefits apply to grandfathered employees hired before July 2006 or 2008 including county and school board staff

Animal center donations and programs

• Committee accepted $95,000 donation from Friends of Williamson County Animal Center for pawsabilities coordinator salary
• Approved $25,000 donation from Cheryl A. Hall estate for Mobile Data Terminals in animal control vehicles
• MDTs provide GPS tracking and internet connectivity for officer safety during late-night calls

Public safety technology grants

• Connor Scott secured $30,065 highway safety grant for emergency vehicle notification system
• Technology sends GPS alerts to drivers when emergency vehicles operate nearby, supplementing lights and sirens
• System will pilot on fire apparatus before potential expansion to EMS vehicles

Sheriff's office facilities and services

• Committee approved $25,600 for 3-year lease at 4147 Columbia Pike for K9 division during special ops building construction
• Brightstone property includes 1,500 square foot house and acreage for training at $25,00annual rent
• Approved $245,224 for mental health transport program through AmerMed, including $140,975 new grant funds and $104,249 rollover
• Approved $22,936 rollover from governor's highway safety funds for overtime costs

Bond issuances for capital projects

• Phoebe presented $32.8 million county district school bonds for previously approved projects including $3 million for Hillsborough K-8 and $1 million for Grassland Middle
• Committee approved $33.5 million general obligation bonds for school and county projects including Castle Park, Bethesda, College Grove, and Franklin EMS station
• Net debt increase of only $1.86 million due to $38.7 million general debt retirement and $25.6 million county district debt payoff

Transportation planning grant application

• Mike Madison explained $250,000 TDOT planning grant for county-wide long range transportation plan
• Grant requires 10% county match if awarded, supporting regional approach recommended by growth management roundtable
• Plan would supplement individual jurisdiction plans and improve state funding positioning

Equipment donations and surplus

• Committee approved surplus of outdated law enforcement equipment including tasers to Hickman County
• Accepted donation of Motorola repeaters from Rutherford County for VHF/UHF backup radio system
• Equipment supports mutual aid operations with neighboring counties using different radio systems
• Mac confirmed 5-year Goodwill agreement for $1 annually to collect donated materials at convenience centers

Tuesday October 7th

Parks and Recreation did not meet due to the lack of a quorum.

Monday October 13th

The Steering Committee will meet at 5:30pm in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. No information

County Commission will meet at 6:00pm in the auditorium in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. Agenda/Packet

Wednesday October 15th

Law Enforcement and Public Safety will meet at 5:30pm in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. No information

Thursday October 16th

Purchasing and Insurance will meet at 4:30pm in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. No information

Planning Commission will meet at 5:30pm in the auditorium in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. Agenda/Packet

Special Note: Since Williamson County does not record any meetings other than the commission, budget committee and planning commission meetings, I am recording all the meetings that I attend on my iPhone. We are in the process of reviewing a technology upgrade that will allow the county to record more meetings as well as include agendas, minutes and packets on our website. I will keep you up to date when progress is made

Board of Mayor and Aldermen

For this week and next week's meetings, go here

Election Commission

Monday October 13th

Election Commission will meet at 11:00 am in the Executive Conference room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin to certify the results of the District 7 primary held on October 7th. Agenda

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.” (1^st Corinthians 4:12-13)

Blessings,

Bill

pettyandassociates@gmail.com

Community resources

If you like Friday Recap, check out these other grassroots conservative projects!

• Grassroots Citizens of Williamson County Provides free tools and information to help grassroots conservatives exercise their citizenship here in Williamson County.
• Tennessee Voters for Election Integrity is helping restore confidence in Tennessee Elections.
• TruthWire Local news and commentary.
• 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.

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