Board approves advisory referendum to place education donation/tax‑credit question on March 17 ballot

The Williamson County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 19 to place an advisory referendum on the March 17 ballot asking voters whether the county should express support for a state authorization that would allow public donation/tax‑credit funding to be used for a wide range of K‑12 expenses, including dual‑credit, online materials and services for students with disabilities.

Commissioner (speaker 6) who introduced the item said he "couldn't find a downside for it," noting the money could be used by students in public or private schools and could support dual‑credit programs. He said a state representative — identified in the transcript as Representative Jacobs — asked the county to consider putting the advisory question before voters.

Other commissioners voiced concerns: one said the measure could be redundant because constituents can already contact state representatives and worried about spending county staff time and resources on a nonbinding referendum. Staff estimated placing the advisory question on a March ballot could cost roughly $15,000 for separate ballot coding and administration given it would require a separate nonpartisan ballot format.

A motion to approve resolution 25‑12‑19‑139 to submit the advisory referendum was made and seconded; the board approved the resolution on roll call. The board emphasized that the referendum is nonbinding and would simply communicate county voter preferences to the state.