The mayors of Williamson County’s six cities joined Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson on Jan. 30 for the first of four Franklin Tomorrow Breakfast With the Mayors planned for 2018. Breakfast With the Mayors is presented in partnership with Pinnacle Financial Partners and a host of other partners.
Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore spoke to the group via video, although the City was represented on the panel by Vice Mayor Margaret Martin. In his video message, Moore detailed a number of initiatives and projects under way in the City of Franklin, but also addressed issues like parking in downtown Franklin and a variety of road projects.
Mayor Anderson spent his time at the beginning of the program offering information regarding the need for voters to approve a half-cent hike in the local option sales tax in a Feb. 6 referendum. The money generated through the hike is to be used to fund renovation or expansion of 13 existing schools and the construction of 12 new schools, Anderson said, by generating $23 million each year for three years. The change will cost 50 cents per $100 of assessed value, he said.
Early voting is currently under way at locations across the county through Feb. 1, with the issue on the ballot on Feb. 6.
At one point or another, all the mayors spoke about the growth in their communities and trying to maintain the quality of life.
Mayor Alexander invited the more than 400 people in attendance to visit Nolensville, saying, “It is not your parents’ Nolensville.” The town in northeastern Williamson County had 1,500 residents when he moved there in the late 1990s, but through a special census being conducted, they expect the population to be more than 10,000 residents.
Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham spoke of the need for more moderate growth as the City deals with more than $200 million in road needs. Spring Hill is also conducting a special census and expects their population to top 40,000 residents based on permit activity. In 2017, Spring Hill issued 804 single-family permits.
Brentwood Mayor Jill Burgin was among the mayors using a video to address some issues, with traffic and road construction topping her list. Brentwood will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2019, growing to a population today of 42,000 residents. Through her leadership, she hopes the city will become more of a “team player” in regional issues to help guide the discussion to the benefit of its residents.
Fairview Mayor Patti Carroll also used a video to profile her city in western Williamson County so she could highlight the pro-business climate present in the city. The city is working to update its infrastructure as well as facilitating communication with citizens.
Thompson’s Station Mayor Corey Napier called his community “a microcosm of what you are seeing in Williamson County and Middle Tennessee.” Like other fast-growing communities, Thompson’s Station is conducting a special census and expects to count more than 5,000 residents since they are building approximately 225 homes per year. He also highlighted the recent designation of 220 acres in the town’s core, which has been called Preservation Park.
To watch the program, click the image below.
The next Breakfast With the Mayors is set for April 24 at Rolling Hills Community Church. The topic will be announced in March.
The Platinum Sponsors listed below help keep Breakfast With the Mayors as a free and accessible event. Joining them in partnership for the Jan. 30 event were Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp. and Vanderbilt University Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations.
