The Week of May 2, 2011

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF:

May 2 - 6, 2011

Date & Committee/Board                           Time                                      Location

Monday - May 2

Finance                                                             4:00 P.M.                             Finance Office

Building and Grounds                                    5:00 P.M.                             RCOB

Tuesday - May 3

Open

Wednesday - May 4

Foster Care Review                                         9:00 A.M.                             General Sessions

Thursday - May 5

Planning Commission                                     7:00 P.M.                             RCOB    

Friday - May 6

Open

MY Minutes: 2011.4.25 – RC EMS Committee Meeting

Yesterday (2011.4.25), I had the opportunity to attend the Robertson County EMS Committee Meeting.

This was a special-called meeting to discuss the engagement of NorthCrest Medical Center (NMC) for a partnership of NMC and EMS. The proposal had been submitted to the committee members, but a couple of members desired to have more time to review the document.

Robertson County Schools: After the Meeting

Many of asked that I put together a post with my commentary from the joint meeting between the City of Springfield and Robertson County Schools.

I do not want to get into what was said, and what was not said. I will leave that to the great coverage provided by the Robertson County Times.

For my thoughts…..here we go:

Overall, I am encouraged.

Our Own Growth Study?

I found this story out of Cheatam County interesting. Note: I am not passing this story along for the discussion brought up by Commissioner McCarver as much as I am illustrating that the school board is engaging in some kind of “growth study.” 

The study, which will be conducted by Hastings Architecture, will look at growth issues in the north cluster as well as adding a career and technical education center at Harpeth High School in the south cluster.

We all know that the Pleasant View area is a high growth area, and it appears that their school board is taking steps to have a consulting group study the growth to help provide them recommendations.

My interest is looking at a study for our County. It may sound cliché, but it is time we think “outside the box.”   

Happy Easter, Robertson County!

Happy Easter, Robertson County! – He Is Risen!

"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." (John 10:17-18)

Let us take an opportunity on this Easter Sunday to remember just why we celebrate – Our Christ Has Risen!

I came across David R. Stokes’s post in the American Thinker this morning:

Today, people around the globe gather to remember, honor, and reflect on events that happened some two thousand years ago in a micro-spot on the world map. It is a good time to take a break from the relentless and, at times, tedious debate about politics and policies. Let us, for a moment at least, focus on a simple yet profound scenario -- one that can be described succinctly and received joyously.

It is called the Gospel.

The word itself comes from the idea of "good news" or "glad tidings." It is intended to convey the idea of divinely directed redemption and deliverance. It is also a reminder that there is hope -- now and in the future.

It is all too easy to get worked up into a lather over issues that polarize people. I am not suggesting that these issues lack importance, but as I read the biblical record, I find it endlessly fascinating that a small group of people, from ordinary backgrounds and with few natural gifts, could make such a difference in their world and subsequent history.

Read more here.

Enjoy your time with friends & family today.

Good Morning, Bransford Revitalization Project

I have been attending the Robertson County Chamber ofCommerce’s “Good Morning Robertson County!” since moving here years ago. You can find more about it here. It is a great way to keep up-to-speed on the current events throughout Robertson County.

Per example: This past Thursday (April 22, 2011), Greater Faith Community Action Corporation (GFCAC) shared a little about themselves, and shared specifically with regard to their “Bransford Revitalization Project” of the Bransford Community Center.

You will remember that I had previously discussed this project here.

This message from their “Bransford Revitalization Project” flyer:

The Bransford Revitalization Project is a community-wide effort to revitalize the Bransford Park area, and a vacant 6.1 acre tract behind the school consisting of the old Bransford High School. The project involves the complete renovation of the of old Bransford High School for use as a non-profit community center, and the development of the Brandsford Park as a multi-function recreational complex and community park.

The project is being organized by the Greater Faith Action Corporation (GFAC), a local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, in partnership with the City of Springfield, local community service agencies, and community leaders.

The complex will house a variety of needed community programs including Educational, Youth, Health & Wellness, Sports, Substance Abuse Recovery, Small Business Incubator, Soup Kitchen, and facilities for community gatherings. Community meetings will be held in the developmental stages to gather public input on programming and services desired.

…

The project  has the full support and endorsement of several key community groups including GFCAC, United Way, Bransford Alumni Association, I-Care, BYCDC, City of Springfield, Robertson County Chamber of Commerce and others.

For more information, check out the GFCAC site.

The Week of April 25, 2011

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF

April 25, 2011 – April 29, 2011:

Date & Committee/Board           Time                       Location

Also, make note that on Monday (April 25^th) that there will be a special meeting of the RCC Fire Committee as we here from White House Fire Department Chief related to county fire services (this meeting will be located at Robertson County Offices Building – Finance Office (3rd Floor).

Monday- April 25

EMS                                                       6:00 P.M.                EMS Building

School Board Work Session              6:30 P.M.                 Board of Ed. – Central Offices          

Tuesday- April 26

OPEN

Wednesday – April 27

Safety Committee                               8:30 A.M.                County Mayor’s                       

Thursday- April 28

Appeals Board                                      6:00 P.M.               RCOB 

Highway Commission                          7:00 P.M.              Highway Office                            

Friday-April 29

Open 

County Vehicle Usage

This is a Gallatin news-story worthy of a short note. It would appear that a county automobile may have been used inappropriately.

I say that this is a news-story worthy of a short note because I have consistently heard similar inquiries about some of our own county automobiles. I know several fellow commissioners have expressed that they, too, have heard several reports from constituents.

One thing that I envision our Personnel Committee taking a look at in our comprehensive review of the Robertson County Employee Handbook, is the usage of automobiles supplied to various departments.

2011.4.14 Budget Committee Meeting

Last Thursday, the RCC Budget Committee re-convened after their meeting of Thursday, April 7, 2011. The April 7, 2011 meeting was continued.

A tentative 2011 Budget was introduced at the previous meeting. The tentative budget sparked a heated discussion by those Robertson County Government Department Heads that were in attendance. This discussion was due to the proposed cuts and a deviation from the “old process.”

Now, as of this second meeting, the “old process” will be implemented. Under the “old process,” Department Heads personally meet with the Robertson County Finance Director Jody Stewart wherein they will generate their proposed budget. After doing so, their budget will be submitted to the Budget Committee for consideration. This apparently was part of what sparked the heated discussion, because this proposal was a deviation from the “old process.” Candidly, I am not a proponent of the “old process” for there is little, if any, proactive participation by the commission in the formation of respective budgets.

Regardless of the process, it is going to be a difficult year.

County-by-County: Comparing the Property Tax Rates

Many of you have asked me just what the tax rates are for our surrounding counties.

Of course, this question was sparked by the recent story in the Robertson County Times discussing the possible property tax increase.

The numbers I pulled below are the “base” property tax rates. I say “base” because they do not represent the entire tax rate. Municipalities within the respective counties have additional taxes on top of the respective county taxes. Some counties, such as Cheatam County have additional taxes for fire districts. I have not included those for comparison since it is hard to compare based on those separate taxes.

If you would like to investigate further, please follow this link to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – Division of Property Assessment. A link can be found here: 2010 PROPERTY TAX RATES:

County                      Property Tax Rate

North Middle Tennessee

Cheatam County              $              2.78                       

Sumner                               $             2.02.08 

Robertson                           $              2.61

Dickson                                $              2.85

Montgomery                     $              2.88

Trousdale                            $              3.00

Wilson                                 $              2.4327

Middle/Southern Middle Tennessee

Davidson                             $              3.56

Rutherford                         $              2.4652

Maury                                   $              2.59

Williamson                        $              2.26

Marshall                              $              3.09

Bedford                               $              2.27