During the Town of Nolensville's Board of Commissioners Special Meeting on May 29, 2025, significant discussions centered around public safety staffing and budgetary needs, highlighting the town's commitment to enhancing community safety and infrastructure.

A key focus of the meeting was the comparison of Nolensville's police and fire staffing levels to those of similar-sized cities in Tennessee. The data revealed that Nolensville, with 20 police officers and 17 firefighters, is lagging behind its peers. For instance, cities like Elizabeth and Fairview have significantly higher numbers of public safety personnel relative to their populations and land areas. This disparity has prompted ongoing discussions about the necessity of increasing staffing to meet community safety standards.

The proposed budget for the upcoming year includes hiring three additional firefighters and three police officers, along with positions for IT and public works. This staffing increase is crucial as the town has relied on external IT support and needs to ensure that construction projects are monitored effectively to prevent costly mistakes.

To fund these enhancements, the commissioners discussed a potential one-time tax increase aimed at generating approximately $7 million. This revenue would not only support the hiring of new personnel but also facilitate critical infrastructure projects, including road improvements and streetscape enhancements in the historic district. The proposed tax rate increase from 29 cents to 55 cents per $100 of assessed value reflects the town's urgent need to address public safety and infrastructure demands.

The meeting underscored the challenges Nolensville faces in generating sufficient revenue, particularly due to limited commercial development and a complex zoning code. While new developments like a Publix and a Kroger are expected to boost sales tax revenue, they will not fully cover the town's growing needs.

As the town moves forward, the proposed budget and tax increase will be pivotal in shaping Nolensville's public safety and infrastructure landscape, ensuring that the community is well-equipped to handle future growth and challenges. The Board of Commissioners is now seeking community feedback as they finalize their plans for the upcoming fiscal year.