Christopher Richards County Commissioner

Category: Complacency

  • Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant

    Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant

    and I’m here to shine it on every tax dollar spent.

    Last night, during the June County Commission meeting, we were asked to vote on a resolution to fund stop loss insurance—without knowing the price tag, the policy terms, the bidders involved, or even which commissioner was sponsoring it.

    Let me be clear:

    Rubber-stamping vague, last-minute spending is not conservative. It’s not responsible. And it’s not acceptable.

    The Backstory

    State law—and our own commission rules—require resolutions to be filed at least 14 days in advance. That gives your elected officials time to do our jobs: ask questions, gather facts, and hear from you, the people who pay the bills.

    But last night, three late-filed resolutions were suddenly brought forward. Two were from the Sheriff’s department: both had clear dollar amounts, a justification for the funds, and Sheriff Hughes was present to answer questions. I had no objection to those.

    The third?

    Resolution 6-25-40, asking us to approve the purchase of a stop loss insurance policy—without basic facts like:

    • 💰 Total cost
    • 📄 Policy limits (individual? aggregate?)
    • 🔍 Bid process transparency
    • 📅 Why it expires 6 months before our benefits do
    • 🧩 Potential conflict of interest (Same company as both insurer and stop loss provider?)

    Commissioner Hayes has been asking about this policy since February—and still hasn’t been given answers.

    Instead of transparency, we got a rushed vote, peer pressure from the top, and a public appeal from the Mayor and Commission Chair to push it through anyway—something neither of them has done before.

    I said no.

    Because you deserve better.

    What Happens Next?

    The Mayor has called a special meeting of the County Commission:

    📅 Friday, June 20, 2025

    🕗 8:00 AM

    He has already said no new information will be presented—but I will keep pushing to get answers to the concerns I have raised above.

    This isn’t about politics.

    It’s about principles: transparency, accountability, and protecting your tax dollars.

    How You Can Help

    🔹 Watch the video of the meeting and hear it for yourself. Link to the June 9 County Commission Meeting

    🔹 Attend the June 20 meeting and speak if you have questions.

    🔹 Email or call me directly—I will make sure your voice is heard.

    I won’t be pressured into approving blank checks.

    I work for you!

    Late-Filed Resolution 6-25-40Download
  • SEC Decision Made

    SEC Decision Made

    The TN Republican State Executive Committee (SEC) continued the review of my election challenge tonight. The committee invited Chad Gray, Administrator of the Williamson County Election Commission, to confirm that the certified election documentation included errors and how these errors, in his opinion, did not affect the results of the District 7 race.

    The SEC did recognize that the Williamson County election process needs to be tightened up, since at least 5 election officials/poll workers, signed their names to incorrect documentation and that documentation was returned in the request for election certification result.

    I would like to thank the Republican party and the State Executive Committee members for their time and attention to my concerns.

    While I did not prevail tonight, I wish Bert Chalfant and Tom Tunnicliffe the best of luck in the General Election on Aug 4, and I will fully support conservative candidates in the Aug 4 election.

    I will continue to work diligently to make sure that the Brentwood Middle School is fully funded, and that we keep watch over the county debt.

  • We Deserve Better

    We Deserve Better

    Brentwood has the oldest middle school in the county. Brentwood Middle School is 50 years old! Brentwood gives the most in total tax dollars but we get the least back on our investment.

    BMS has been on the 5 year plan for too many years. BMS takes a backseat to installation of artificial turf fields. We deserve representatives on the county commission who will fight for our schools.

  • You make the choice

    You make the choice

    At the close of the Republican Commissioner Candidate forum, all participants were asked to prepare a closing statement. I would like to share the closing statements of all of the District 7 County Commission candidates. I think we all distinguished ourselves from one another and summarized our individual perspectives.

    I ask you to listen, and if you agree with me, please get out and vote for me to be your voice on the County Commission.

  • Candidate Forum

    Candidate Forum

    I participated in the Republican Commissioner Candidate forum on April 7. Here is my opening statement of why I am running.

    I encourage you to watch the entire forum to get a glimpse of current issues facing the county and see if you can spot the Williamson Families-endorsed candidates. (pro tip, I am one)!