Friday Recap September 5, 2025

My Comment

To see what the WCRP has in store for September.

For full information, go here

Alderman Bev Burger is conducting a town hall on Monday the 8th. This meeting is open to all, whether you live in Ward 1 or not. Come and bring your questions for her, the mayor and other city officials. I speak from experience, as a county commissioner, we notice when residents show up and ask questions. I know that this meeting competes with the County Commission meeting, which is unfortunate, but for Franklin residents, this is a great opportunity to make our voices heard.

County Commission

The County Commission meeting is on Monday and there is one issue that has drawn a lot of attention. Parks and Recreation is asking for $10 million to upgrade the ballparks in College Grove. There is no doubt that the upgrade is needed. Our Parks and Recreation facilities are awesome and add tremendously to our quality of life. I am in favor of the upgrade, however, I am not in favor of paying for it via debt.

Our county is over $1 billion in debt and growing. The service on our debt for fiscal year 2025-26 is $109,279,909. Our debt service for 2024-25 fiscal year was $93,490,214, so year-over-year change is 14.4%. I think the proper approach is to put the $10 million as budget item for next year. I expect some lively debate Monday.

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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

Tuesday September 2nd

Policy Committee Agenda Video

AI Summary

Overview

• Board approved institutionalizing 2 additional paydays for 10-month and 11-month employees during spring break with no excess fund balance available for further changes
• Committee refined after-action review policy language to require superintendent or designee to conduct reviews within specific timeframes, with Josh suggesting "shall" instead of "may" for stronger accountability
• 4 charter school policies updated due to legislative changes shifting oversight from Tennessee Department of Education to State Board of Education and Tennessee Public Charter School Commission
• New threat assessment notification requirements mandate 48-hour parent notifications when law enforcement investigates credible threats, plus quarterly board reports starting this school year

Employee pay schedule updates

• Dana Ausbrooks (WCS General Council)confirmed policy 5.310 institutionalizes 2 additional paydays during spring break for 10-month and 11-month employees that board approved during budget process
• Policy adds wage and hour change allowing time off in 15-minute increments for non-exempt employees to match current practice
• Participant 2 asked about additional changes based on fund balance, but Rachel confirmed very small excess with no room for further modifications
• Jason Golden noted board will vote on next year's budget schedule at the September meeting with budget planning starting within 2 weeks

After-action review process for incidents

• Dana proposed formalizing after-action reviews for major incidents, accidents, and emergency responses at schools following Tanya's request about student elopement incidents
• Policy would require structured debriefing process involving relevant stakeholders including WCS employees, sheriff's office, Franklin police, and fire department depending on situation
• Josh suggested tighter language: "superintendent or designee shall conduct after-action review" instead of "may utilize" to strengthen accountability
• Participant 9 recommended adding timeframe requirement, with Dana agreeing to research appropriate timelines (24-48 hours for immediate incidents, longer for complex situations requiring external reports)
• Jason clarified this formalizes existing informal practice where leadership already debriefs major incidents involving multiple departments
• Dana noted legal considerations around confidentiality and attorney-client privilege may affect report format to superintendent

Charter school policy legislative changes

• Dana recommended first and final reading for 4 charter school policies updated due to Public Chapter 275 shifting responsibilities from Tennessee Department of Education to State Board of Education and Tennessee Public Charter School Commission
• Policy 1.901 now requires charter applications be reported to Tennessee Public Charter School Commission within 10 days of receipt, with deadline clarified as 11:59 PM Central time
• Policy 1.902 requires annual reporting of authorizer fees to state board by December 1st and posting reports on district website
• Policies 1.904 and 1.905 require notification to both state board and Tennessee Public Charter School Commission for charter renewal, revocation, and intervention decisions
• District has received 2-3 charter applications in recent years with 1 withdrawn before evaluation

Threat assessment notification requirements

• Dana presented Public Chapter 215 requiring parent notification within 48 hours when law enforcement beyond school SRO investigates credible threats or significantly disruptive behavior
• Notification triggered when SRO calls detective for home investigation or requests additional law enforcement on campus, not for routine SRO reports
• Board will receive quarterly reports showing number of notifications given each quarter and year-to-date totals starting this school year
• Jason noted district already communicates more than law requires but will ensure compliance with new 48-hour notification timeline
• Dana emphasized careful language needed to avoid FERPA violations while providing sufficient detail for parent awareness
• Jason stressed avoiding word "threat" in communications unless actual threat exists, as parents focus on that term regardless of context

Next Week

School Board Work session meets at 6:00 PM in the Professional Development Center located at 1761 West Main Street, Franklin Agenda Video Starts a 6:00 pm and thereafter.

Williamson County Commission

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

Tuesday September 2nd

Budget Committee Resolutions Transfers Video

Committee members: Chas Morton (Chair), Guy Cardon, Betsy Hester, Paul Web, Mayor Anderson

AI Summary

Action Items

• [ ] Sheriff - Provide resource allocation report to Commissioner Sturgeon Provide Commissioner Sturgeon with the resource allocation report prepared by Captain Mobley that shows time spent and resources allocated toward Thompson Station law enforcement services.
• [ ] Chief King - Send vehicle information to Commissioner Sturgeon Send Commissioner Sturgeon an email detailing how many cars and what type of cars will be purchased for the sheriff's department.
• [ ] Sheriff - Work with Ms. Riley to determine true cost of Thompson Station law enforcement services Work with Ms. Riley to calculate the actual cost of providing law enforcement services to Thompson Station, including multiple officers and vehicles needed for adequate coverage, to support future contract negotiations.

Overview

• Committee approved $13 million in tax anticipation notes for school funding to bridge cash flow until property taxes arrive in October
• Tax relief program received $150,000 expansion to offset reduced state funding affecting 1,358 residents including seniors and disabled veterans
• Committee authorized $21.6 million in general obligation bonds for capital projects including fire stations, park improvements, and equipment
• Thompson Station agreed to pay $250,000 for law enforcement services, with Sheriff negotiating for higher amount based on actual costs
• Conference center operating agreement extended 10 years through October 15, 2037, generating $4.67 million in county revenue since 1999
• Committee approved $896,697 in opioid abatement funds and multiple grant appropriations totaling over $1.5 million

Budget transfers across departments

• Circuit Court Clerk transferred $5 from travel to dues and membership to cover increased association fees
• Animal Control requested surplus mower approval (already under normal threshold)
• Property Department requested two surplus vehicles (none currently available)
• Insurance and Risk Management transferred funds between excess risk and building content insurance premium lines
• Sheriff's Department transferred $7,000 from non-recurring expenses to data processing for investigation software
• Sheriff's Department moved $6,500 from staff development to service awards
• Phoebe consolidated capital project funds across departments, moving completed project allocations to current projects to avoid additional bonding

School funding and tax anticipation notes

• Committee approved Resolution 9256 authorizing $13 million in tax anticipation notes for school operations
• Phoebe confirmed county will only process if needed, with comptroller approval required
• County has not needed tax anticipation notes for the last two years but used them three years ago
• Resolution 9255 approved $3,059 teacher bonuses from state ESA funds for teachers who provided direct student services more than half the year
• 348 teachers did not qualify for bonuses due to state criteria including part-time status or indirect student services

Tax relief program expansion

• Committee approved $150,000 increase to tax relief program budget from unappropriated county general funds
• Program serves 1,358 individuals across all jurisdictions in Williamson County
• Karen explained state funding decreased due to lower tax rates after reappraisal, requiring county to make up difference
• Income limit for tax freeze program is $67,400 this year
• Franklin considering increasing their matching contribution, while other cities like Brentwood and Thompson Station don't participate
• Program provides vital assistance to low-income seniors and disabled veterans who might otherwise lose their homes

Capital projects bond funding

• Committee approved Resolution 9533 for initial $21.6 million general obligation bond authorization
• Resolution 9538 detailed $16.7 million in specific projects: $1.5 million fire engine, $3.4 million EMS station construction, $1.8 million Castle Heights park, $10 million College Grove park (split $5 million this year, $5 million next year)
• Additional $9 million for Bethesda park project from previous year authorization
• Phoebe moved $2.25 million in vehicle purchases from bond funding to fund balance to avoid bonding short-term assets
• Committee praised avoiding 20-year bonds for 5-year useful life vehicles

Thompson Station service agreements

• Sheriff presented law enforcement agreement with Thompson Station paying $250,000 annually
• Sheriff believes actual cost is substantially higher than current payment, with Thompson Station willing to pay more
• Thompson Station designated as one of six patrol zones countywide
• 411 calls originated from Thompson Station area
• Emergency Communications District agreement charges Thompson Station $42,838 for dispatch services (one-sixth of $256,000 annual dispatch seat cost)
• Fire department MOU approved for wastewater treatment system at new Burwood fire station

Grant funding appropriations

• Veterans Treatment Court received $117,527 in state opioid funds for financial counseling, service dogs, and trauma treatment
• $302,934 federal grant rollover for veterans substance abuse and mental health services
• DUI Recovery Court received $148,309 state opioid grant (year two of three-year program)
• Parks and Recreation received $2,000 arts building grant, $75,000 Brownfield investigation grant for Gregory Park and Chestnut properties
• Health Department appropriated $525 in backpack giveaway donations from July 26th event serving 1,062 families
• Sheriff's Office received $5,000 donation from Jason Aldean for K9 uniforms and equipment

Conference center contract extension

• Committee approved 10-year extension of Hotel Partners LLC operating agreement through October 15, 2037
• Conference center generated $4.67 million in county revenue from 1999 to 2025 with only three loss years
• Extension needed for hotel refinancing, with management fees capped at 3% or CPI since 1997
• Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen voting September 9th after county approval
• Michael Sanders from Chartwell Hospitality confirmed competitive management structure for attached conference centers

Tuesday September 2nd

Parks and recreation Resolution Resolution Audio

AI Summary

Overview

• Drew Torres was elected chairman and Mary Smith was elected vice chairman
• Committee unanimously approved $182,620.63 parks budget appropriation funded by donations and reserves for officials, maintenance, supplies, and theater programs
• Committee authorized $2,000 Arts Build Communities grant for new dance exploration program

Chairman and vice chairman elections

• Participant 1 nominated Drew Torres for chairman and Participant 4 seconded the nomination
• Committee unanimously elected Drew Torres as chairman
• Drew Torres nominated Mary Smith for vice chairman with Participant 4 seconding
• Committee unanimously elected Mary Smith as vice chairman

Parks budget appropriation of $182,620

• Committee unanimously approved Resolution 9-25-14 appropriating $182,620.63 to amend the 2025-26 Parks and Recreation budget
• Rick Taylor explained the funding sources and uses:
  • Part-time officials and scorekeepers funded by billing sports associations
  • Maintenance and repairs funded by $10 player fees each season for fencing, trash cans, picnic tables, and sports equipment
  • $8,000 for instructional supplies including softballs to ensure consistent play across the county for tournaments
  • Turf management products funded by donations from Nolensville Association, soccer associations, and Grassland
  • $2,000-$2,200 for theater programs including t-shirt sponsorship for Children's Theater, $200 for dance, and $400 for choir
• Revenue sources include donations and reserves from participating sports associations

Arts Build Communities grant authorization

• Committee approved Resolution 925-15 authorizing the Williamson County Mayor to enter a grant contract with Arts Build Communities
• Grant appropriates $2,000 to the 2025-26 parks and recreation budget funded by grant funds
• Rick Taylor noted the grant supports a new program called dance exploration

I got disconnected, due to operator error, for the last seven minutes of the meeting, but all of the resolutions got unanimous recommendation.

Wednesday September 3rd

Highway Commission Agenda

There was only one item on the agenda that was related to a fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis, so I didn't record the meeting on that. At the end of the meeting, there was a discussion about the Harlin project and here is the audio

AI Summary

Overview

• Franklin annexation interlocal agreement is dead due to lack of county commission sponsor for the resolution
• County is developing alternative state legislation to address split road maintenance responsibilities like Clovercroft Road
• Property ownership issues prevent easy annexation since roads require permission from both property owners to the center line
• Fairview luxury development project includes $300,000 buy-in cost, $30,000 usage fee, 50-room hotel, and 3.5-mile track on 500 acres

Franklin annexation and road maintenance

• Bobby Cook (Williamson County attorney) confirmed the interlocal agreement for Franklin's non-contiguous annexation is dead in the water due to inability to find a county commission sponsor
• The agreement would have required Franklin to maintain both Hillview and Colman Road as annexation conditions
• Bobby Cook expects the resolution will get 2 objections and doubts it will come back before the county commission
• County met with Franklin to work on the annexation issues but could not resolve the sponsorship problem

Proposed state legislation for road responsibilities

• County is working with Franklin on alternative state legislation to address split road maintenance issues
• Current problem exemplified by Clovercroft Road where the city maintains 100 feet and county maintains 100 feet in alternating sections
• Proposed legislation would allow parties to negotiate who maintains entire roads rather than split responsibility
• Bobby Cook noted this is a statewide issue affecting all 95 counties, making county-specific solutions unlikely at the state level

Property ownership and condemnation issues

• Legal barrier exists because road annexation requires permission from property owners on both sides to the center line
• Property owners on one side often refuse annexation to avoid being included in city limits
• County has right-of-way interest but doesn't own the underlying fee simple property
• Bobby Cook explained Franklin could purchase property interests from both sides but owners sometimes refuse to sell
• Franklin needs county approval to condemn property outside their city limits, creating circular dependency since county commission already declined to sponsor the resolution
• Mayor Anderson opposes condemnation for private development purposes, stating property owners shouldn't be forced to sell

Fairview luxury development project

• Project located on former Green Springs property of approximately 500 acres that Franklin previously annexed
• Development plans include 50-room hotel, restaurant, 3.5-mile racing track, and rifle range
• Buy-in cost is $300,000 with $30,000 annual usage fees
• Features 100-car underground garage for members' sports cars
• Participant 4 raised concerns about existing roads not being built for high-speed vehicles like Ferraris
• County has limited information since Fairview hasn't contacted them and project is within Fairview's jurisdiction
• Community meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 4th evening in Fairview
• Residents reported seeing plans for connection to Old Hardy Road, though county involvement unclear

As a follow-up to the Thursday meeting in Fairview; the Fairview Planning Commission voted the project down. Residents came out in force, filled the room and let their concerns be known. Engaged Residents make a difference.

Thursday September 4th

Public health Resolution Audio

Committee members present David O’Neil, Chris Richards, Mary Smith, Barb Sturgeon

AI Summary

Action Items

• [ ] Participant 6 - Ask Scott about spay/neuter service profitability data Ask Scott for data on whether the spay/neuter services are profitable overall when factoring in sliding scales and other costs
• [ ] Participant 4 - Research committee meeting timing procedural issue Research the procedural situation regarding committee meetings being held before committee assignments are approved on Monday night, and determine if votes from today's meeting should be announced at the commission meeting

Overview

• Barbara was elected committee chair and Mary Smith as vice chair for the newly constituted Public Health Committee
• Committee approved $525 health department budget amendment from donations for next year's backpack giveaway program
• Committee approved animal center spay/neuter fee increases, with new rates of $250 for dogs over 50 pounds (still about 25% of private vet costs)
• Health department will bring $25,000 educational support policy resolution next month to help retain employees through tuition reimbursement (fully state-reimbursed)
• Committee addressed procedural concerns about meeting before official committee assignments are approved on Monday, September 9th

Committee chair and vice chair elections

• Participant 5 nominated Barbara for chair with multiple seconds from other participants
• Barbara was unanimously elected as committee chair
• Barbara nominated Mary Smith for vice chair
• Mary Smith was unanimously elected as vice chair

Committee meeting timing procedures

• Participant 3 questioned the legitimacy of meeting before committee assignments are officially approved on Monday, September 9th
• Participant 4 explained that steering committee rules allow appointments for meetings before formal approval
• Committee members agreed this procedural issue should be addressed for next year to avoid confusion
• Participant 5 noted the rule changes were intended to standardize committee formation timing to September each year
• Committee decided to proceed with the meeting and votes, with decisions going to commission as recommendations

Health department budget amendment for donations

• Participant 8 presented resolution for $525 budget amendment from donations received after their backpack giveaway event
• Health department gave away 1,062 backpacks filled with school supplies on July 26th in a drive-through event
• Donation funds arrived after the event date and will be used for next year's backpack program
• Committee unanimously approved the budget amendment

Animal center spay/neuter fee increases

• Participant 6 presented resolution to increase spay/neuter fees for both in-county and out-of-county residents
• New fee structure includes $250 for spaying dogs over 50 pounds, which is about 25% of private veterinary costs (private vets charge $800 or more)
• Animal center offers sliding scale pricing with free services for low-income residents, offset by Friends of WIMS donations
• During busy periods, out-of-county applications are placed on waiting lists to prioritize county residents
• Cat spay procedures take less than 5 minutes, with $50 fees generating profit after staff and equipment costs
• Committee unanimously approved the fee increases

Educational support policy overview

• Participant 8 briefed committee on upcoming $25,000 educational support policy resolution for next month
• Tennessee Department of Health created tuition reimbursement policy in 2016 to retain and recruit employees
• Policy applies only to county health department employees on state cost reimbursement contracts, not regular county employees
• Employees must maintain 2.0 GPA, stay employed 1 year after last reimbursement, and remain in good standing
• Education must be related to public health, nursing, or medical fields
• Health educator Bella was accepted to PhD program at Tennessee State University and will be first to use the policy
• State fully reimburses county for educational expenses up to $25,000 annually through cost reimbursement contract

Next Week

Monday September 8th

Tax Study Committee meets a 5:00 pm in the executive conference room in the County Building located at 1320 W. Main St. Resolution Trustee Letter Property Relief Information Committee members Barb Sturgeon, Lisa Hayes, Greg Sanford, Chris Richards, Chas Morton

Monday September 8th

County Commission meets at 6:00 pm in the auditorium in the County Building located at 1320 W. Main St.Franklin. Agenda/Packet Video starts at 6:00 pm and thereafter. Commissioners

Thursday September 11th

Planning Commission meets at 5:30 pm in the auditorium in the County Building located at 1320 W. Main St. Franklin. Agenda/Packet Video starts at 5:30 pm and thereafter. Commissioners

Board of Mayor and Aldermen

There were no meetings this week

For everything next week, go here

Election Commission

Election Commission is meeting on Monday September 8th at 4:00 pm at 405 Downs Blvd. Franklin. Agenda Commissioners

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!

• Williamson County Citizens 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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