Newsletter

Friday Recap September 12th, 2025

Bill Petty

13 Sep 2025 — 24 min read

My Comment

A great soul has been taken from us. Few men have had the impact of Charlie Kirk. He inspired people from all generations. His message was ageless and struck a cord in the hearts of the young and old alike. He debated his generation with great wit and logic and exposed the incoherence of the woke left. He did it with class and respect. His rock was his faith in God, and he never wavered.

Every time something like this happens, we mourn and pray and say "never again" and yet the "never again" never comes. Where has hating and killing ever gotten us? We need to ask that question and search our hearts for the answer. There is going to be a prayer vigil in the town square of Franklin this Sunday at 6:00 pm. I urge you to attend. In the meantime, I am meditating on, what is for me, the hardest teaching of Christ and that is Matthew 5: 43-44:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Last night as I thought about what I was going to write, I listened to Til TheLast Shot's Fired written by Trace Adkins and performed by Scotty Hasting who, incidentally, is a graduate of Guitars for Vets for which I am a chapter coordinator and instructor.

The developments keep getting approved

For the record, this past week, BOMA approved 2,494 residential units along with 650 hotel rooms and 1,900,460 sf of commercial space. The County Planning Commission approved 1,058 residential units. All the details are in my report below. If you should be interested in contacting any BOMA member or County Planning Commissioner, you can access them at BOMA, County Planning

District 7 debate September 15 at Church of the Nazarene

Come out and hear what the candidates have to say as to why they are the best candidate to represent us in the US Congress.

Enjoying Friday Recap? Take a minute now and forward it to 3 people. Copy this https://friday-recap.ghost.io/ghost/#/editor/post/680aad97ab206e0001e15b3f in your email.

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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 September 11th

School Board Work session met Agenda Video

AI Summary

Action Items

[ ] Josh - Rework superintendent goals with metrics and send drafts before October work session Revise the four proposed superintendent goals to include specific metrics and deliverables, then distribute the refined drafts to board members well in advance of the October work session for review.
[ ] Dana - Add cell phone policy discussion to October policy committee agenda Schedule the screen time technology committee's cell phone policy recommendations for discussion at the October policy committee meeting as requested by board members.
[ ] Dr. Webb - Revise calendar memo to include board expectations about consistency Add language to the calendar committee memo stating the board's expectation that the calendar remain consistent with current structure unless changes are highlighted and explained.
[ ] Jen - Finalize textbook committee membership for October board meeting approval Complete the process of gathering textbook committee member nominations from principals and prepare the final committee membership list for board approval at the October meeting.
[ ] Dana - Research board member participation in collaborative conferencing team Conduct deeper research on legal requirements and potential conflicts regarding board member participation on the collaborative conferencing team before the Monday board meeting.

Overview

District enrollment declined 0.9% from last year with elementary seeing the biggest reduction, while middle school grew slightly and high school remained flat
WCS achieved 99.5% staffing in general education teachers and 98% in special education teachers—the best staffing levels in 20 years
Screen Time Technology Committee reached consensus on cell phone policy refinements across all grade bands, recommending implementation for 2026-27 school year
Class fee collections dropped significantly to $400,000 compared to $1.1 million last year, creating a $472,783 budget gap
Transfer student GPA calculation changes now allow students to include up to 3 GPAs on transcripts to maximize scholarship opportunities
Board approved $11.2 million in various state grants including security, United Way tutoring, and Innovation Hub construction funding

Enrollment and staffing updates

Total enrollment down 0.9% from previous year based on day 20 of school
Elementary schools saw the bulk of reduction, continuing a 3-year trend
Page Middle grew by 120 students, the most significant growth area
Nolensville Elementary decreased from 880 to 850 students, impacting five-year capital planning
17-18 schools grew while 30-35 schools saw slight reductions
General education teachers staffed at 99.5% and special education teachers at 98%—best levels in 19.5 years
Special education teacher assistants staffed at 98%
All bus routes covered but many still require first and second loads due to driver shortages

Screen Time Technology Committee recommendations

Committee reached consensus on all cell phone policy refinement recommendations across 4 grade bands (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
2,655 family responses collected with trends showing support for restricting devices during school day
Elementary schools want devices "silenced and stored off the body" rather than just silenced
Middle and high schools report less cyberbullying and more student focus since policy implementation
All grade bands recommend waiting until 2026-27 school year to implement any policy changes
High school group strongly supports maintaining lunch period phone access for college applications, job communications, and AP testing
Smartwatches and earbuds identified as biggest enforcement challenges across all levels
Committee continues meeting monthly through May on technology integration and screen time topics

Textbook adoption process overview

Adopting materials for health/PE (K-12) and CTE courses (information technology and advanced manufacturing)
State materials list expected in November after appeal process closes September 13th
Elementary schools will not adopt health curriculum as standards are addressed through existing PE, science, and counseling programs
Middle schools will conduct local adoption since state received no middle school health materials
High school adopting for Lifetime Wellness course (graduation requirement)
Textbook committee meetings scheduled for November 3rd, January 14th, February 18th, and publisher presentations on February 16th or 20th
Board members invited to attend all committee meetings as observers
Teachers will provide rationale for material selections on electronic forms in February

Class fee collection update

Collections at 38% of last year's total ($400,000 vs $1.1 million)
Creates $472,783 budget gap compared to actual spending from last year
Two-week targeted marketing campaign planned before final assessment
PTOs contributed $16.1 million last year, up from $14.9 million the previous year
Some schools modified approach by asking families to provide items directly rather than paying fees
Board member expressed strong opposition to continuing fee structure, advocating for budget inclusion

GPA calculation changes for transfer students

Transfer students can now request up to 3 GPAs on transcripts: WCS weighted, original unweighted, and original weighted
Changes implemented to ensure fair competition for University of Tennessee's top 10% automatic admission program
All senior GPAs adjusted within first 30 days of school year
Unweighted GPA for HOPE scholarship eligibility remains unchanged
Some universities base scholarships on highest GPA shown on transcript

Budget grant approvals

Public School Security Grant: $155,618 (includes $8,319 carryover)
United Way Grant: $59,525 for elementary tutoring (14th consecutive year)
State Transition Grant: $220,833 for transition students
Innovation School Models Grant carryover: $10,234,529 for Innovation Hub construction
State Special Education Preschool Grant: $677,520

Board policy updates

Emergency Preparedness Plan (3.202) for first reading with "as immediately after the event as possible" language for after-action reviews
Five charter school policies for first and final reading due to legislative changes
Threat Assessment Team policy (3.204) requires parent notification within 48 hours of credible threats
Quarterly reporting to board required on total number of threat incidents

Superintendent and board goal setting

Proposed superintendent goals: conduct professional salary study, develop corporate partnerships, leverage screen time committee recommendations for technology guidelines
Salary study estimated at $20,000 cost based on county government experience
Board goals discussion included corporate partnerships and visiting schools in respective districts
Strategic plan affirmation scheduled for October board meeting
Superintendent evaluation scheduled for October meeting

Next Week

Monday September 15th

Full School Board meets at 6:30 pm in the auditorium in the County Building at 1320 W. Main St. Franklin. Agenda Video starts at 6:00pm and thereafter.

If you wish to speak at this meeting:

If you’d like to speak during public comment, please send your name, complete mailing address, topic of comments and any organization you represent to publiccomment@wcs.edu. You may sign up for public comment for the next School Board meeting beginning on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12 p.m. through Monday, September 15, 2025 at 12 p.m.

Williamson County Commission

Monday, September 8th

Tax Study Committee met Resolution Trustee Letter Property Relief Information Audio Committee members Barb Sturgeon, Lisa Hayes, Greg Sanford, Chris Richards, Chas Morton

AI Summary

Overview

Trustee Karen Paris requested an additional $150,000 for tax relief programs due to tax rate reduction impact on state funding formulas
1,358 households received $947,403 in total assistance last year across both state and county programs
Tax rate reduction to $1.30 decreased state contributions, requiring county to cover larger share to keep recipients whole
896 senior/disabled households and 462 disabled veterans received assistance, with veteran participation growing from 300 a couple years ago
Commission approved the funding resolution unanimously

Additional funding request for tax relief programs

Trustee Karen Paris requested an additional $150,000 for the Tax Relief Program budget
Current budget appropriation is $920,000 for the third year running
This is the third consecutive year requiring additional funding at year-end
1,358 households received assistance totaling $947,403 last year

Impact of tax rate reduction on state contributions

Tax rate reduction to $1.30 decreased individual state relief payments from $154 to $106 for seniors and disabled
County must increase its matching contribution from $154 to $202 to maintain total $308 relief per recipient
For disabled veterans, state contribution dropped from $823 to $569, requiring county to increase from $154 to $408 to maintain $977 total relief
State funding formulas don't adjust for local property value increases or tax rate changes

Program formulas for seniors and veterans

Senior/disabled program caps assistance at $32,700 of appraised value with income limit of $37,500
Veteran program based on $175,000 of property value with no income limit for totally and permanently disabled veterans
Veterans Administration provides disability documentation directly to state for approval
Veteran eligibility requires total and permanent disability rating from Veterans Administration

Program participation growth and statistics

896 senior and disabled households assisted last year
462 disabled veterans and their survivors assisted, up from 300 a couple years ago
Veteran participation represents about one-third of all applicants
Broad-based program served over 1,200 households with income limit of $48,770

Comparison with other Tennessee counties

This county is the only one in Tennessee with a standalone broad-based program
Rutherford County provides double match of state funding
Davidson County provides triple match of state funding
Other counties use different matching formulas but most don't provide additional local funding

Tax freeze program overview

Tax freeze program provided $360,000 in savings this past year for participants
Program peaked at $540,000 in savings for over 1,500 households about three years ago
Program has operated for 17 years with participants cycling on and off
Participant 1 expects savings to increase this year due to new appraisal values
Broad-based program provides rebate checks covering portion of property taxes, wheel tax, and local option sales tax with sliding scale from 20% to 100% of taxes, capped at $1,200

Monday, September 8th

Commissioners met Agenda/Packet Video. There were approximately 54 resolutions with 9-25-33 and 9-25-39 being the most contentious. If you want to see how each commissioner (all 24 were present) voted on each resolution, go here

AI Summary

Action Items

[ ] Sheriff Hughes - Negotiate higher payment with Thompson Station for law enforcement services Go back to Mayor Stover and Thompson Station to negotiate a more realistic payment amount for law enforcement services, potentially closer to the $1.5 million cost analysis, with consideration of an escalating payment structure for future years
[ ] Sheriff Hughes - Provide Zone 6 call volume data in monthly updates Include detailed call volume data for Zone 6 (Thompson Station) in monthly sheriff's department updates to the commission, showing call percentages and city-specific data within their city limits
[ ] Mac - Send out report on cardboard recycling policy changes Send out a report to commissioners explaining the recent policy changes regarding cardboard recycling at the solid waste facility, including the rationale for the zero tolerance policy and communication plan for residents

Overview

Brian Beathard was unanimously elected as commission chair and Sean Aiello as pro tem for one-year terms
Commissioners approved $21.6 million in general obligation bonds, including $10 million for College Grove park project ($5 million this year, $5 million next year)
Thompson Station will pay $250,000 for law enforcement services, though actual cost estimated at $1.5 million for dedicated coverage
All standing committees reduced from 7 to 5 members to improve attendance and streamline operations
County debt service costs increased from $93 million to $109 million this year, representing over 10% of the county budget

Commission chair and pro tem elections

Brian Beathard nominated by Commissioner Torres and unanimously elected as commission chair for one-year term
Sean Aiello nominated and unanimously elected as commission pro tem after Matt Williams nomination failed to receive a second

College Grove park project funding

Commissioners approved $10 million total project funding ($5 million in fiscal year 2526, $5 million next year)
Gordon Hampton explained the county has owned the 40-acre site for over 20 years and deferred maintenance on existing facilities
Project will include ball fields, multipurpose soccer/football field, pickleball courts, and shared sewer system with adjacent development
TDEC awarded $2.26 million grant specifically for artificial turf multipurpose field - grant will be forfeited if project doesn't proceed
Fire station will be built on front portion of existing park, requiring relocation of recreational facilities to back 40 acres
Five citizens spoke in support during public comment, citing unsafe conditions and 20-year wait for improvements

General obligation bond authorization

Resolution 92-5-33 passed 19 yes, 3 no, 2 abstain to authorize publication of $21.6 million bond issue. No Votes were: Commissioners Richards, Sturgeon and Petty. Abstains were Commissioners Hayes and Clifford.
Resolution 9-25-38 passed 21 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain approving. No votes were Commissioner Richards and Petty. Abstain was Commissioner Clifford. $16.7 million in specific projects: $1.5 million fire engine for Triune, $3.4 million emergency services station construction, $1.8 million Castle Park improvements, $10 million College Grove park
Commissioner Richards voted no citing county debt service at 12% of budget compared to federal government's 6-7%
Commissioner Petty supported projects but opposed debt financing, noting county debt grew from $592 million in 2017 to over $1.2 billion currently

Committee appointments and structure

All standing committees reduced from 7 to 5 members to ensure better attendance and maintain quorum
Investment Committee: Rogers Anderson, Karen Paris, Megan Guffey, Ricky Jones, Greg Sanford
Audit Committee: Guy Cardin, Brian Clifford, Pete Stressor
Law Enforcement Public Safety: Bill Petty, Greg Sanford, Pete Stressor, Tom Tunnicliffe, Matt Williams
Property Committee: Brian Clifford, Ricky Jones, Jennifer Mason, Barb Sturgeon, Matt Williams (after swap between O'Neill and Sturgeon)
Education Committee: Judy Herbert, Bill Petty, Chris Richards, Steve Smith, Drew Torres
Tax Study Committee: Brian Beathard, Lisa Hayes, Greg Lawrence, Mary Smith, Steve Smith
Public Health Committee: Sean Aiello, David O'Neill, Chris Richards, Mary Smith, Barb Sturgeon

Thompson Station law enforcement costs

Thompson Station will pay $250,000 for sheriff's services, doubled from $125,000 last year
Sheriff Hughes estimated $1.5 million annual cost for dedicated 24/7 coverage with one officer
Commissioners noted Thompson Station's $0.10 tax rate compared to Fairview's $0.59 rate for similar population
Thompson Station population 9,600 vs Fairview 10,500, but Fairview spends $3.1 million on police while Thompson Station spends essentially zero on public safety
Sheriff clarified Thompson Station is treated as sixth zone, not exclusive coverage area
Multiple commissioners called for escalating payments or Thompson Station establishing own police department within 3-4 years

County debt and financing methods

Phoebe Riley moved $2.25 million in vehicle and ambulance purchases from bond financing to current fund balance
County has $100 million in unappropriated funds available for cash purchases
Annual debt service increased $16 million from $93 million to $109 million, representing over 10% of county budget
Commissioner Mason noted county's $105 billion property value makes debt-to-value ratio 0.89%
Several commissioners advocated for pay-as-you-go financing instead of additional borrowing

Thursday September 11th

Planning Commission met Agenda/Packet Video

AI Summary

Overview

Meadowside subdivision concept plan was reapproved for 167 lots on 143.32 acres despite public opposition, including approval of a floodplain variance for entrance construction
The Grove concept plan revision was approved, reducing lots from 820 to 782 and adding 1.13 acres with 5 new lots
6 routine subdivision approvals passed, including 3 Vineyard Valley phases requiring right-of-way width variances
Next meeting moved to October 16th (third Thursday instead of second Thursday)

Construction Consultant subdivision approval

Staff recommended approval for 4 lots on 82.55 acres off Buchanan Lane
Lots accessed via 50 foot access easement with 200 foot building envelope separation
Water provided by individual wells, wastewater handled by individual septic systems
Commission approved with standard conditions

The Grove concept plan revision

Hunter Dale with Dale and Associates presented revision to original May 2020 approval
Property reduced from 820 to 782 lots on 1,230 acres at Arno Road and Arno College Grove Road
Added abandoned Locust Ridge Road right-of-way (will be cul-de-saced with no through access)
Added 1.13 acres from Lynch property creating 5 new lots plus open space
Water provided by Millcroft Utility District, wastewater via non-traditional treatment system
Commission approved with same conditions from August 2013 approval

Meadowside subdivision public concerns

5 residents spoke against the 167 lot development on 143.32 acres off Patterson Road
Dennis McCandless raised flooding concerns, citing $30,000 spent on French drains and water damage repairs
Edith McCandless opposed 5 houses per acre density, inconsistent with rural area character
Brad Jennings expressed health concerns about 19 acre wastewater storage pond behind his house, citing pathogen exposure and bio-aerosol risks
Garrett Pear highlighted existing flooding issues and dangerous traffic conditions at Patterson Road and Horton Highway intersection

Meadowside traffic and infrastructure improvements

Kayla Ferguson from Birch Transportation presented required improvements
Developer must improve 5,000 linear feet of Patterson Road from Horton Highway to eastern property boundary
Road improvements include 11 foot travel lanes and 4 foot shoulders per county standards
Southbound left turn lane required on Horton Highway with minimum 100 feet storage
Traffic analysis shows 95th percentile queue of 1 vehicle during peak hours (13% of traffic turns left southbound)
All road improvements remain within existing right-of-way with signed easements obtained

Meadowside wastewater treatment system

Michael Natelli confirmed 19 acre non-traditional wastewater system uses suitable soils location
Emergency storage pond required by county but never used in 25 years of developer experience
System treats effluent with solids remaining in individual house tanks, then drip-irrigated into soils
100 foot buffer required from all property boundaries, streams, and habitable structures
Landscape buffer will screen storage pond from neighboring properties with existing tree stands preserved

Meadowside floodplain variance request

Applicant requested variance from Section 3.04 prohibiting filling in 100 year floodplain
Patterson Road entrances located within floodplain requiring road elevation for access during floods
Compensatory storage will be provided within floodplain on-site during preliminary plat phase
Aaron confirmed no property damage complaints received in 27 years from Atwood, Patterson, or Haley Lane residents
16 total square miles drainage area with 10 square miles from uncontrollable Rutherford County
Commission approved variance and concept plan reapproval

Routine subdivision approvals

Hollis Hills: 4 lots on 39.75 acres off Horton Highway approved
Vista Creek: 18 lots on 137.56 acres off Old Hillsborough Road approved (added 2 lots)
Vineyard Valley Phase 1: 26 lots on 31 acres approved with variance reducing right-of-way from 40 to 38 feet
Vineyard Valley Phase 2: 16 lots on 17.18 acres approved with same right-of-way variance
Vineyard Valley Phase 3: 26 lots on 38 acres approved with same right-of-way variance
Arbors at Leapers Fork Section 1: 10 lots on 243.8 acres approved, dividing original 18 lot development into sections
Curitiba Plateau: 5 lots on 28.27 acres off Fairview Boulevard approved

Next Week

Monday September 15th

Human Resources Committee meets at 4:30 in the Executive Conference Room of the County Building at 1320 W. Main St. Franklin. Resolution Policy

Wednesday September 17th

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee meets at 5:30 pm in the Executive Conference Room of the County Building at 1320 W. Main St. Franklin. Resolution

Thursday September 18th

Purchasing and Insurance Committee meets at 4:30pm in the Executive Conference Room of the County Building at 1320 W. Main St. Franklin. To review recommendations for the 2026 medical, pharmacy and dental plans and any related business to come before the committee at that time.

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

Tuesday September 9th

BOMA Work Session Agenda Video

AI Summary

Action Items

[ ] Participant 7 - Take vape shop regulations to planning commission in October Take vape shop regulation proposals to the planning commission and possibly joint conceptual workshop in October, then roll back into the ordinance for November consideration if the board shows enough interest.
[ ] Michael Walters Young - Bring back CIP project recommendations on September 23rd Bring back the capital investment plan project recommendations at the work session on September 23rd for review, then consider approval at the October meeting.

Overview

Franklin has $250 million of projects under construction and $63 million out to bid, with $80 million recently completed
Development Services Advisory Commission completed annual report highlighting customer survey improvements and process enhancements
Board approved $1.4 million Southeast Park waterline contract and established sister city relationship with Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain
Annual zoning ordinance updates include new signage standards, vape shop regulations, and $95 million in additional CIP capacity identified
Building code adoptions for 2024 cycle required to maintain state exemption, effective January 1, 2026
Property tax relief program expansion proposed to double current $38 average benefit for 310 qualifying senior properties

Development Services Advisory Commission annual report

Matt Bryant completed 6-year tenure as outgoing chair of 11-member commission
Commission meets monthly first Tuesday at 8am at Eastern Flank, with breaks in April, August, and December
Focus areas include development customer survey results and enhancing GIS mapping for community education
Commission provides process improvement recommendations to staff rather than funding requests to board
3 new members approved: Claudia Swaswa, Mike Hathaway, and Daniel Jones replacing outgoing members
Next development customer survey funding request expected in fiscal year 2027 budget

Southeast Park waterline improvements contract

Civil Constructors LLC awarded contract for $1,415,379
Project creates pressure loop from Red Ring to Long Lane to support fire flows for vertical buildings
Water department partnering with parks for Southeast Park facilities development
Vice Mayor inquired about potential reclaimed water line disconnection for HOA but confirmed as separate project

Sister city relationship with Ciudad Rodrigo Spain

Heather Angola from BGA initiated 10-year pen pal exchange that evolved into sister city proposal
2 BGA students (Lily Michael and Lily Morton) traveled to Spain and met with mayor
Ciudad Rodrigo already held formal ceremony and voted yes on partnership
Alderman Brown noted Franklin hasn't had sister city in 9 years and wanted to diversify relationships
Potential visit planned for 2026 when Franklin delegation goes to Germany for Bad Soden presentation

Ovation subdivision road impact and parkland agreements

Road impact agreement with Highway Woods Properties LLC not to exceed $8.55 million
Improvements include additional eastbound lane on East McEwen Drive between Carruthers Parkway and Ovation Parkway
Also adds westbound travel lane on McEwen Drive between Carruthers Parkway and I-65
Parkland impact fee agreement covers over 22 acres of public space with $8+ million in fees
Developer eligible to receive over 75% back in parkland fees

Temporary parking restriction ordinance

Ordinance 2025-30 grants city administrator authority to temporarily restrict parking for traffic and safety concerns
Covers events not falling under special use permits like Factory markets and Pilgrimage
Requesting entity must fabricate and install sandwich board signs
Police department monitors for violations during restriction periods
Alderman Baggott thanked staff for solution addressing Daniels Drive residents' concerns

Annual zoning ordinance updates and vape shop regulations

Planning Commission recommended approval with amendment to keep 5-year timeframe for floodplain provisions
Signage updates include halo illumination, canopy signs above canopy, and irregular shapes for projecting signs
Flag exemptions allow up to 90 days per calendar year for flags up to 40 square feet in residential districts
Wrecker service use added to light industrial zoning district after research showed existing operations without complaints
Vape shop regulations proposed after learning other Tennessee communities implementing restrictions
Board expressed interest in vape shop regulations with concerns about proximity to schools and signage lighting
Alderman Brown suggested comprehensive study rather than rushing through current ordinance cycle

Building code adoptions for 2024 cycle

10 building codes require adoption to maintain state exemption status
Moving from 2018 International Code to 2024 International Code effective January 1, 2026
Includes International Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, and Residential codes
Rodney Prince noted 20-year tenure with city and upcoming training sessions in mid-October
3 consecutive Tuesday morning classes planned covering significant changes from 2018 to 2024 codes
Alderman Baggott raised affordability concerns about code requirements adding construction costs
Staff confirmed codes represent minimum standards with state setting baseline requirements

Capital investment plan update and project prioritization

$460 million in forecasted resources over 10 years split 70% cash, 30% debt
36 approved projects totaling $444.7 million with 18 completed, 5 under construction
$95.6 million additional capacity identified beyond currently approved projects
Priority projects include Franklin Road improvements ($14 million), Fire Station 3 replacement, Boyd Mill Avenue and Eddy Lane improvements
Mac Hatcher Parkway and Hillsborough Road intersection project can be completed in 8 months to 1 year
Quarterly project updates and 24-month full CIP review cycle recommended
New interactive dashboard launched showing all approved projects with detailed information

Property tax relief program expansion

Current program serves 310 properties with average city tax bill of $291
Average tax relief benefit currently $38.29 matching state program
Proposal to double relief program providing immediate impact versus tax freeze program
Combined with $372 annual sanitation fee relief, total current benefit $118.71 per property
Tax freeze program would have minimal benefit due to Franklin's low 30-cent property tax rate
Applications accepted through April 1st with property taxes due February 28th

Tuesday September 9th

BOMA Board Meeting Agenda Video

AI Summary

Overview

Board approved two major PUD developments: Aurem (900 residential units, 245,460 sq ft non-residential, 300 hotel rooms) and Ovation (1,594 residential units, 1.655 million sq ft non-residential, 350 hotel rooms) with combined $69 million in impact fees to city and schools
Aurem development reduces traffic by 4,000 vehicle trips per day compared to original 2019 plan while maintaining same infrastructure improvements
Ovation parking structure along Carothers Parkway approved 5-2 with architectural conditions, despite staff recommendation for disapproval
Building V height at Ovation reduced from 6-10 stories to 5-8 stories in 5-2 vote
Hotel motel tax increase from 4% to 5% deferred to November 25, 2025 pending state attorney general guidance
Meredith Zehnder appointed to Sustainability Commission with master's degree in sustainability and Dell Computer recycling experience

Citizen parking and drainage concerns

Mike Comer raised issues about street parking on Gist Street affecting his rental property access with crew cab dually truck
Comer reported drainage problems from higher elevation houses flowing into his yard, impacting renters
Staff directed Comer to work with Paul Holzen to address both parking width requirements and drainage solutions

Hotel motel tax increase deferral

City deferred ordinance to increase hotel motel tax from 4% to 5% until November 25, 2025 meeting
Deferral pending state Comptroller and attorney general opinion request for guidance
Staff uncertain if guidance will be available by November meeting date

Meredith Zehnder sustainability commission appointment

Mayor appointed Meredith Zehnder to Sustainability Commission after interviewing multiple candidates
Zehnder has master's degree in sustainability and works for Dell Computer on electronics recycling and corporate policies
Board approved appointment unanimously

Aureum PUD rezoning and development approval

Board approved rezoning 27.19 acres from Plan District to Plan PD 33.1 for Aureum development
Development plan includes 900 multifamily units, 245,460 square feet non-residential space, and 300 hotel rooms
Project reduces traffic by 4,000 vehicle trips per day compared to original 2019 approval
Glenn McGee confirmed 7-year total timeline with development in 3 phases
All four modification standards approved unanimously:
- Pitched/gabled roofs for non-residential structures
- 3 digital interactive wayfinding screen panels
- Neon and LED lighting for internal illumination and halo effects
- String lights in pedestrian and dining areas

Ovation PUD rezoning and development approval

Board approved rezoning 103.93 acres from Plan PD to accommodate revised development plan
Development includes 1,594 residential units (reduction of 186 units from current entitlements), 1.655 million square feet non-residential, 350 hotel rooms
Project generates $56 million in impact fees to city and Williamson County Schools
Projected $13 million annual revenue to city and $10 million to county primarily for schools
Alex Chambers confirmed residential phases built every 2-3 years over 6-12 years total timeline
All eight modification standards approved, including controversial parking structure placement

Traffic impact and road improvements

Ovation traffic study reviewed 36 intersections - more than any previous development plan
City required additional third lane on north side of McEwen to I65 and south side toward Turning Wheel after initial study
Aureum providing third lane on south side of McEwen from I65 to Carruthers creating 6-lane section
Paul Holzen confirmed signal retiming and new lighting required as projects come online
Cleave Crow warned of 5,400 additional PM trips creating gridlock, predicting level service F on Carothers and McEwen

Parking structure placement along arterial roads

Ovation parking structure along Carothers Parkway approved 5-2 despite staff disapproval recommendation
Alderman Berger supported for transit accessibility, noting internal placement impractical for transit stops
Planning Commission added architectural conditions: base/middle/cap design, 3 different facades for structures over 150 feet, pedestrian access, foundation landscaping
Alderman Baggett opposed, preferring building placement to screen parking from major roads
Vice Mayor Potts supported with proper architectural screening and light pollution controls

Building height restrictions for Ovation

Board reduced Building V height from 6-10 stories to 5-8 stories in 5-2 vote
Alderman Baggett proposed reduction to align with 5-story Orium development across street
Other buildings F, D, P, and S remain at 12-story maximum for office use flexibility
Corner building at McEwen and Carothers capped at 8 stories maximum

For everything next week, go here

Election Commission

Election Commission met Agenda Commissioners

Report from Sharon Spigel:

All members were present.
Public Comment
- Reagan Grossman (League of Women Voters and also Democrat party Representative) rose to bring high praise to the EC for their ouitstanding job of conducting elections, saying we have always had free and fair elections. She stated there had never been any evidence of voting machine malfunction and once "they" (the Democrats) are back in power there will be no criticism of our elections. (Limpus comment: She needs to revisit October 2021 Franklin Municipal election where 7 of 19 tabulators quit counting votes on the tabulator tape and the Secretary of State had to declare the election null. A complete hand count – not a count by the machines -- the next day affirmed the winners.)
- Linda Sherman (League of Women Voters) Another glowing praise of the EC for sending out a card to all District 7 voters with information about the upcoming election. Jonathan Duda replied that this card was sent out because this was a Special Election and they needed to give notice about which vote centers would be open for early voting, etc.
- Duda also made specific mention of the fact the National Heritage Foundation just scored TN as #1 in Election Integrity in the country again!! (Limpus comment: Not true. SoS Tre Hargett and Election Coordinator Mark Goins merely hijacked a 2021 study to make it say something it truly doesn’t. Evidence here. Plus, Arkansas has now joined Tennessee in that position where it concerns what election laws the state has in place… not how well it conducts elections.)

Old Business:
- Approved the minutes
- Passed out "I Voted" sticker finalists which Franklin Tomorrow will print at their expense and distribute if the EC approves. There were no objections to the 4 entries selected by Franklin Tomorrow-approved.

New Business:
- Chad Gray discusses the Poll Officials for the upcoming elections. There was a motion to allow Chad to make these decisions as to the poll officials. Motion passed unanimously.
- Duda stated they will lock the ballot boxes after the meeting ends.
- In regard to the Absentee Counting Board, Chad said there will be some nursing home people and some people with health issues who need Absentee ballots. Chad said this area has been very quiet so he does not anticipate a lot of absentee voters. Chad plans to contact officials who were on the counting board in November, 2024 and see how many will work again. If members want Chad to consider someone for the job, please let him know. Motion passes unanimously to let Chad handle this issue. Duda said that Oct 7 at 3:00pm will be when they call the Absentee Counting Board members to serve.
- Chad said that Sept. 16, 2025 is National Voter Registration Drive and Chad will be at every public high school to register voters. Chad also said there is a College and Career Readiness at the Ag. Center tomorrow from 4:30-7:30 and he plans to be there.
- At the end of the meeting Duda announced that the voting machines would be inspected by any candidate or candidate's representatives or any Party Representative. Reagan Grossman was the Democratic Party Representative planning to examine the machines and Elliott Franklin did so for the Republican party. Duda said that "the public" was not invited to this as " the public" was to come to their "machine open house" which they host once each year.

Next Week

There are not meetings scheduled for next week.

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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