Dear Oak Hill Neighbors and Friends,
The Oak Hill Board of Commissioners (BOC) will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6 pm at the City office. The meeting will also be live streamed at the link on the City’s website. Only those physically present may speak during public hearings or make public comments during the two appointed times. Whether online or in-person, we hope you will join us.
Recap of May 26 Meeting. The BOC reviewed a newly revised version of the much-discussed proposed Fence Ordinance to consider approving final language to submit to the Planning Commission (PC). This begins the process of adopting it as part of the zoning ordinance. Revisions had been made to sections setting the height and location of fences making allowance for differences in lot size; allowing solid fences only within the setback lines for accessory structures; and stating the City’s intent to preserve historic stone walls but to exempt them from this Ordinance. During discussion, other modifications were offered and added to the proposed language. The BOC voted (5-0) to send the proposed language to the PC. The Fence Ordinance will be considered by the PC at its regular meeting on July 7, at which time a public hearing will be held. The PC will then submit its recommendations to the BOC, which will formally consider the Ordinance on first reading at its July 28 meeting. The BOC will also hold a public hearing on the Fence Ordinance at that time. All Oak Hill residents will receive a mailed copy of the Ordinance as sent to the PC by mail before the BOC’s July 28 meeting.
The BOC next voted, on first reading (5-0), to approve an Ordinance to Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to increase appropriations in the garbage and recycling budget by $137,610 to cover the price increase from our vendor in March 2026 that was unknown when the budget was adopted last year, and to increase revenues by $11,529 to balance that budget. The BOC also voted, on first reading (5-0), to approve an Ordinance Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The proposed budget had been discussed and revised by the BOC and City Manager at several recent meetings. The budget is balanced with $3,074,464 in revenues and expenses in the general fund and $803,665 in the sanitation fund. The budget provides funding for all the City’s personnel, operations, road work, and other City services at a level comparable to recent normal years. Finally, the BOC passed (5-0) a Resolution to Adopt the City’s Traffic Calming Program Handbook. The Handbook was drafted specifically for Oak Hill over a decade ago by our engineering firm, Kimley-Horn, which has reviewed it for continued validity. As approved, the Handbook has some changes to the procedure for obtaining approval and funding of a traffic calming measure. It also clarifies that approval of any projects is subject to budgetary constraints.
June 23 Meeting. The first item of business is consideration on second reading of the Ordinance to Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget originally intended only to increase the appropriations and revenues in the Sanitation Fund (for garbage and recycling). Unfortunately, we have recently received updated billing data for the debris cleanup from January’s ice storm: the cost now appears to total $3.7 million, about $1 million more than expected in April when the BOC last approved transferring money from our reserves to the current budget for this purpose. The Ordinance will thus need to be amended to add another $1 million adjustment to this year’s budget. While we have not yet received actual invoices from the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) contractor, which accounts for an estimated $2.7 million of the total cost, the City Manager believes the latest information is fairly solid.
Next, the BOC will consider on second reading the Ordinance Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. No changes have been suggested since last month. There will be public hearings on both this Ordinance and the Ordinance to Amend the FY 2025-26 Budget discussed above.
Finally, the BOC will consider for passage a Resolution to Adopt a Fund Balance Policy concerning the handling of the City’s fund balances. The State Comptroller’s Office recommends that municipalities have such a policy.
Please let us know if you have concerns about the above or any other matters affecting Oak Hill. Attend the meeting and speak during the Public Comment periods or the Public Hearing on the budget amendment. Emails are also welcome. Your participation helps preserve what we love about living in Oak Hill.
Best regards,
Dale Grimes
Mayor