Leading by example Tommy Overcash seeks to serve through leadership opportunities

Some people are natural-born leaders, like Tommy Overcash – whether training Cub Scouts, volunteering for a school project or leading city government.

Currently, Overcash is president of Madison City Council, a role he has held six times. Overcash was first elected as District 5 councilman in 2004, and he was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

In 2004, Madison’s population at 25,000 was much smaller. “Our city government now serves almost 50,000. Our land area has almost doubled,” Overcash said. However, the number of city employees has grown modestly. The council “has worked tirelessly to strengthen city finances by being fiscally conservative and increasing economic development successes,” he said. The council has increased bond ratings, maintaining more than 25-percent reserve fund balance – 15 percent more than Alabama requires.

When the Overcashes moved to Madison in 1985, the population was 6,000, and growth was just starting. “Madison has become more transitory with people moving in/out as the job market in the metropolitan area expands,” Overcash said.

Overcash views Madison’s strengths as stellar schools, small town charm and proximity to employment, shopping and entertainment.

Few residents can remember when Madison “didn’t have its own exemplary school system, Palmer Park was the only major park, and County Line Road was barely two lanes. Now, we have our own hospital, a second high school and the ‘new’ Target center.”

The Overcashes have lived in District 5 for 25-plus years and the city for 32 years. Overcash is dedicated to service for long-time neighbors and newer neighbors – to answer questions honestly, represent their interests and work for the district and city’s continued success.

Overcash sees the city facing several key issues this year, including resolution of the Limestone County tax issue. “Madison City Schools is not receiving Limestone County tax funding equivalent to Madison County residents living within the City of Madison – a major liability to continued success of our outstanding school system,” Overcash said. The council and mayor have supported MCS by temporarily limiting residential annexation, especially in Limestone County. They are working closely with state/county representatives to confirm proper handling at those levels. Court-ordered mediation could continue for months.

Another issue will be “successful tax-generating build-out of Town Madison,” Overcash said. “As chairman of Town Madison Corporate Tax District, I, County Commissioner Steve Haraway and banker Ken Watson are confident Town Madison will be the economic development engine that will drive the city’s financial needs for decades.” With federal and environmental approval for Interstate-565’s new exchange, bulldozers were scheduled to start in early 2017. Hundreds of acres from Intergraph Corporation will augment retail development.

Overcash also emphasized continued economic redevelopment along major corridors like U.S. 72, County Line Road, Madison Boulevard and Hughes Road; Phase 3 of historic downtown area around Martin Street; lobbying to employ another Economic Development Professional; and partnership with MCS for the best solution to swimming pool space as key issues for moving Madison forward in 2017.

For these projects, the council will solicit input from residents in numerous public meeting and centralized communications with Mayor Paul Finley’s office.

After several months’ dormancy, Madison’s first movie theater is advancing quickly with a new prime contractor. Overcash said he also expects the city to announce numerous new retail, restaurant and recreational developments in 2017.

Tommy and Debbie Overcash are Starkville, Mississippi, natives and graduates of Mississippi State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and then a master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology. He works as a senior systems/software engineer for Willbrook Solutions at NASA on the Space Launch System. She works in corporate administration at Torch Technologies.

The Overcashes were selected Madison Family of the Year in 2001. Oldest son Cameron and wife Destanie live in Denver, Colorado. Mason and wife Ashley and children Laeth and Margaret Anne live in Madison, where Mason teaches at James Clemens High School. Chandler and wife Sarah live in Tuscaloosa with children Noah Catherine, Weston, Micah and River.

The Overcashes are longtime members of Asbury United Methodist Church. Tommy and his sons are Eagle Scouts, BSA Troop 351 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Cameron, Debbie and Tommy are troop charter members.

Tommy participates in Madison Optimist Club, Madison Station Historical Preservation Society (where Debbie is president), Madison Arts Council, Madison Street Festival and Madison Beautification and Tree Board. He also serves on boards for Huntsville/Madison County Public Library and North Alabama Gas District. He chairs the city’s Human Resource Committee and is Council Liaison to MCS.

The Overcashes enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and like to escape to their Wheeler Lake cabin.