Weakley County Denies Further Severance Tax on Clay Companies

Commissioners vote 10-6 against adding 5 cents to existing 1982 tax

Mar. 10, 2026 at 1:09am

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In a 10-6 vote, the Weakley County Commission has decided not to move forward with a proposal to add a nickel to the existing 1982 severance tax on local clay companies. Cheryl Ward, the Chief Operating Officer for Gleason and Old Hickory Clay Companies, spoke on behalf of the industry and highlighted the other ways the clay companies contribute to the county.

Why it matters

The severance tax is a levy on the extraction of natural resources, in this case clay, which is an important industry in Weakley County. The decision not to increase the tax will be welcomed by the clay companies, who argued that they already provide significant benefits to the local economy beyond just tax revenue.

The details

The Weakley County Commission voted 10-6 against a proposal to add 5 cents to the existing 1982 severance tax on local clay companies. Cheryl Ward, the COO of Gleason and Old Hickory Clay Companies, spoke at the meeting and highlighted the other ways the clay industry supports the county beyond just tax payments.

  • The Weakley County Commission meeting where the vote took place was on March 9, 2026.
  • The next Weakley County Commission meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2026 at 5pm.

The players

Weakley County Commission

The governing body of Weakley County, Tennessee that voted on the proposed severance tax increase.

Cheryl Ward

The Chief Operating Officer for Gleason and Old Hickory Clay Companies, who spoke on behalf of the local clay industry against the tax increase.

Gleason and Old Hickory Clay Companies

Major clay extraction companies operating in Weakley County, Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“Ms. Ward went on to shed light on the other ways her ball clay companies contribute to the county.”

— Cheryl Ward, Chief Operating Officer

What’s next

The next Weakley County Commission meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5 o'clock in the Weakley County Courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.

The takeaway

The decision by the Weakley County Commission to maintain the existing severance tax rate on local clay companies demonstrates the industry's importance to the county's economy and the willingness of local officials to balance tax revenue needs with supporting key local businesses.