[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6542655,"mediaKeyId","3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769","parentId",3352011,"title","Votes at a glance: Cheatham County commissioners approve several budget amendments, contracts and extensions","audioSeconds",212,"startMs",2191000,"endMs",2403000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769&start=2191&end=2403","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769/thumbnail_2191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542655/Cheatham-County/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Cheatham-County-commissioners-approve-several-budget-amendments-contracts-and-extensions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542655-91f4d33268f15ce97238a812dc6c41af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770887014&Signature=D~pEdAbu1c75~OdR~vGOoUOlG9NhxE~I0Cg0mpjIRV-sGFhJ6axZWBX-dj6KHhfOzuJboehuu4FP2vkmJ-WQOx20C-3Ou4i7cN1al1LR~cWkGhEHiv2rMs3XPNTVbPAEJNB3ZUWbCUIwcwqfQiYKEbAe118QwJ3BU3oijjtH-Y2Qv9PHNFkRhSbClhNxi2CFeIm5jcgB2DT~FhhYOGxzZ8EkdJRh8t5n3H46fl90n-eBvsAyf36kCHZ0H4KCzaxoAoujQwLjhYmaYG4gPwaJ-pa01hzflMCd0aM7Inbzrl8oaSJkblGo2073a2M~6QvgbLmF0ap57DwDUt39dyeoEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cheatham County","date","2025-05-18T00:00:00Z","article","Cheatham County commissioners approved a series of votes Monday that together enact budget adjustments, extend service contracts and authorize routine administrative actions.

Key outcomes recorded by roll call or motion during the meeting included:

- Corps of Engineers contract for Cheatham Dam security and sheriff patrols: The commission voted 12-0 to authorize the mayor's signature on a contract covering sheriff officers' security patrols at Cheatham Dam for the summer season. Motion moved by Commissioner David Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Donna Lovell; roll call 12 yes, 0 no.

- Multiple budget amendments (county general and other funds): The commission approved a set of budget amendments described in the meeting packet. Items included adjustments for the jail, county clerk, Cheatham County Library, COVID-19 expenses, record preservation, sheriff's office lines, solid-waste convenience centers, highway administration (comp time/vacation payout), jail capital and other general administration. Reported roll-call tallies for these amendments were recorded as 12 yes, 0 no where roll calls were taken; individual amendment amounts and funding sources are listed in the meeting packet and were read into the record by county staff.

- Surplus property: The commission approved declaring six Dell computers surplus (Windows 7 or nonworking); vote recorded 12-0.

- Fire department contracts: The Emergency Services Committee recommended and the commission approved a one-year extension (freeze at current payment levels for one year) for the county's contracts with volunteer/rural fire departments. Vote recorded 12-0.

- Miscellaneous administrative items: The commission approved a resolution from the circuit court clerk to request unclaimed property from the state (amount read in packet) and accepted consent-agenda items; votes recorded as 12-0 on those items.

Several budget items were approved on voice or roll-call votes after staff read line-item amounts into the record. Funding sources for the amendments were identified in the packet as a mix of budgeted funds and other available sources.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 18 County Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its May meeting the commission approved multiple budget amendments, a Corps of Engineers contract for sheriff patrols at Cheatham Dam, surplus equipment disposals, and a one-year freeze on volunteer fire contracts.","taxTitle","Cheatham County, Tennessee","taxId",71299,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542660,"Commission sends school bus garage to bid and backs resolution urging earlier BEP numbers; schools outline reopening and food plans",1828,389000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769&start=389&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769/thumbnail_389000.jpg","/articles/6542660/Cheatham-County/Tennessee/Commission-sends-school-bus-garage-to-bid-and-backs-resolution-urging-earlier-BEP-numbers-schools-outline-reopening-and-food-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542660-b019de33f93e48ad7b2bccaf672b2219/orig.mp4?Expires=1770887014&Signature=W4HnidjjDd8hRfQ5M3AZRtxm7wt-9f9aj6hQrkBdlqGD8xpQWpkTEIjCjGmyXx0I6Hdmt0pHdpbge~yzbrLT3h7ZKMgmotcKlmlE26lOK2MI0w3nexKBud~VUxmBkx7cRYPX7PDBlODZYwlMMek2pTMaq4xMgWV7Lgn4pshV8kKNzm8MtbHvtY3Pd72KzDTBbfeCMZ8RP3B4s0W184NLJO4WJN~8HetS2ocWwPg8prgh4UJ~qCQ~9GlgoKscGeNnQBQ3qV8nVi3exR7doSZ7VYTsaWTmqd8DJFE544o2juNaaWRzjxkdJ9sfMomL~L7JT3-qMFIaM-jqa2boYzlMQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheatham County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to send plans for a proposed school bus garage to bid and to approve a resolution asking state officials to release Basic Education Program (BEP) funding numbers earlier to help local budgeting.

The commission approved a motion to send the bus garage project out for bids; the roll call was 12 yes, 0 no. The motion was made by Commissioner David Anderson and seconded by a commissioner who confirmed support; the action followed a recommendation from the county's education committee that had forwarded the project to the full commission for bidding.

Separately, the commission unanimously adopted a resolution, moved in form by Commissioner Jim Williams and seconded by a member of the education committee, directing the county to send a formal request to the county's state representative, state senator, the Department of Education commissioner and the governor asking that BEP (Basic Education Program) estimates be released sooner. The resolution reflected concerns raised by school officials that final BEP numbers typically arrive in mid-July and hamper accurate local school budgeting.

School district leaders also briefed commissioners on COVID-era operations and planning. Director of Schools Doctor Beck said the district will end its use of school meal distribution in its current form at the end of the week and transition to a new model led by local partners; thereafter families will be offered food packages intended to cover two weeks at a time, with continued weekly food assistance arranged through churches, the food bank and other community partners.

Doctor Beck said the district is working on a three-phase reopening plan; phases one and two are in place and the district is drafting phase three as it prepares for August. Officials said CARES Act funding guidance is expected in June and that will affect distance-learning and reopening plans. The district also reported graduation plans: Sycamore and Cheatham high schools will hold graduation-related events the first week in June; Harpeth High School expected to move plans after Lipscomb University cancelled a venue agreement.

The district celebrated Ashland City Elementary School's completion of a STEM certification; Becky said the school is one of 44 schools in the state with that certification.

Commissioners said the BEP-resolution was intended to press lawmakers for earlier and clearer figures so local school budgeting can be more accurate and reduce the need for mid-year budget amendments.

","The commission voted to send a proposed bus garage project to bid and unanimously approved a resolution asking the state to release BEP funding numbers earlier; the county's schools also described food distribution, graduation plans and a phased reopening strategy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542664,"Cheatham County commission approves $1.1 million highway amendment after debate over paving and garage funding",1344,601000,1945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769&start=601&end=1945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352011-963c9b2685b8dd82f3ab0a215721e769/thumbnail_601000.jpg","/articles/6542664/Cheatham-County/Tennessee/Cheatham-County-commission-approves-11-million-highway-amendment-after-debate-over-paving-and-garage-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542664-6abbad44793daf2690fbab6f22a45417/orig.mp4?Expires=1770887014&Signature=QfLAv~SQpSuIU~SbrJUPF7cf2d7lbxAcuIwBiGfTHLpZDJeGYiRbJXR0QJI-bfg7ZamDOa9cUYv5dLFH6Gf43cj0~AKSzp1hmnq-w0~zFFQ315u5MJtvtjsIbk4-2vLkpm-wpgLemAOxmCmMJNj-zzEnXSLUOm5C3ugMK34tplgyzgvn3L76v6OIvso2vGmFs~LkQbtbkpVs2q1~I0pvuh5n8QAlOOmWJbq4YhjAft1NpI~ZXmc~P-faqS83PHk9OyKvSvTdzC7CzyG8drnEym2748~AmXzfkoY~HrsgVDMODgV0c0jp9BBHzmWjz9u5RKSH5Az9DhLxs4ItDj7pvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheatham County commissioners on Monday approved a $1.100.000 amendment to the highway/public-works budget after debating whether to prioritize hot-mix paving or redirect part of the department's fund balance toward a proposed highway garage.

The commission voted to amend the original allocation by reducing the hot-mix line and setting aside $425,000 for a highway garage; the amendment passed on a 9-3 roll call. The full motion to approve the $1.1 million package as amended then passed unanimously, 12-0.

The amendment grew out of discussion after Highway Department staff acknowledged an unexpectedly large fund balance. Commissioners and staff said the department had roughly $3.4 million in fund balance; $400,000 of that had already been earmarked earlier for the garage when the land was purchased. Commissioners pressed for clarity on how much the department needed for equipment and paving before finalizing a funding split.

Opponents of the amendment said the county should ensure the highway department had sufficient funds for anticipated equipment and paving needs before diverting more money to a building. Commissioner Randy Lyle and others said the department's equipment costs remained uncertain and should take priority. Supporters argued the department's fund balance was sufficient to cover both added paving and a one-year allocation toward a garage project.

County staff said they had checked with CTAS and with the state comptroller's office and auditors; those offices told the commission it could reallocate legally available fund balances but cautioned that some highway receipts are restricted to specific uses. A county staff member summarized: if money is legally available and not restricted, the commission ultimately controls the budget.

Key clarifying figures cited in the discussion included a $1.1 million total amendment, an original hot-mix request in the roughly $800,000'00,000'range (variously described in discussion), and the amendment that reduced hot mix to $425,000 and allocated $425,000 toward the highway garage. Commissioners also left other specific line items (pipe, striping, equipment) in the package.

Commissioners agreed the bidding and equipment estimates should be refined going forward; several said they preferred final cost estimates for the garage before allocating additional fund balance permanently.

The full roll-call on the amendment: 9 yes, 3 no (Diana Lovell, Gary Venkley, Jim Gilmore recorded as voting no on the amendment). The final approval of the $1.1 million package as amended was recorded 12 yes, 0 no.

The vote means staff may proceed under the amended budget allocations; commissioners indicated they expect to receive more detailed cost estimates on equipment and the garage design before any additional commitments are made.

","The commission approved a $1.1 million amendment for the highway department, adopting a late amendment that split funds between hot mix paving and a highway garage project after members questioned how much of the department's fund balance should be applied.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Cheatham County commissioners approve several budget amendments, contracts and extensions

Commission sends school bus garage to bid and backs resolution urging earlier BEP numbers; schools outline reopening and food plans

Cheatham County commission approves $1.1 million highway amendment after debate over paving and garage funding