County Public Officials Soon to Get Pay Raises

June 20, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

County public officials here and across the state are getting a pay raise this year.

Compensation for most county officials is governed by T.C.A. § 8-24-102, which establishes the minimum compensation for assessors of property, county clerks, clerks of court, trustees, registers of deeds, county mayors, sheriffs, and highway officials. This law provides for an automatic increase in the minimum salary each year based on the percentage increase given to state employees for the previous fiscal year. It requires the commissioner of finance and administration to certify to the comptroller of the treasury the average annualized increase in state employees’ compensation on or before May 1 of each year.

The salaries of the county officials are partly based on the population class of the county and the office. Not all office holders earn the same amount of pay. DeKalb County falls within the 12,000 – 22,999 population class. Although salaries of county public officials are established by the state, the county funds them.

The new salary schedule as set by the state and according to the proposed 2024-25 budget for DeKalb County effective July 1 is as follows:

•General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge: $123,514 per year (up from $117,519 in 2023-24)

•County Mayor: $105,396 per year (up from $100,157 in 2023-24)

•Road Supervisor: $100,377 per year (up from $95,388 in 2023-24)

•Sheriff: $100,377 per year (up from $95,388 in 2023-24)

•Trustee: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•County Clerk: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•Circuit Court Clerk: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•Clerk and Master: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•Register of Deeds: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•Assessor of Property: $91,252 per year (up from $86,716 in 2023-24)

•Administrator of Elections: $82,127 per year (up from $78,044 in 2023-24)

The Director of Schools is appointed by, and his salary is established under contract with the Board of Education. However, the salary for the position is funded in the county budget the same as the county officials listed above.

According to the 2024-25 budget, the salary for the Director of Schools is to be $109,000, up from $105,000 budgeted in 2023-24

https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/reference/salary-schedules

The County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) prepares a salary schedule each year showing the minimum compensation for each official according to the statutory formulas, by population classification. The amounts in the CTAS salary schedule are based on the assumption that all officials receive the minimum compensation. The minimum salaries of some officials may be higher in a particular county if any officials are paid in excess of the statutory minimum. The county legislative body may set the salary of county officials in an amount greater than the minimum salary.

NOTE: The annualized general increase tied to the increase in state employees’ compensation shall not exceed five percent (5%) in any given year per T.C.A. § 8-24-102(d).

The certification provision and other requirements are contained in T.C.A. § 8-24-102(d) as follows:

On July 1, 2002, and each July thereafter, the minimum compensation for county officials, as provided by this section, shall be increased by a dollar amount equal to the average annualized general increase in state employees’ compensation, including the equivalent percentage increase in average state employees’ salaries represented by appropriated funds made available to address classification compensation issues, during the prior fiscal year multiplied by the compensation established herein for the county officials of the county with the median population of all counties; provided, however, that the annualized general increase tied to the increase in state employees’ compensation shall not exceed five percent (5%) in any given year. Provided further, notwithstanding the dollar amount provided herein, the percentage increase provided for county officials by this subsection shall not be less than the percentage increase established for county officials of the county with the median population of all counties. On or before May 1 of each year, the commissioner of finance and administration shall certify to the comptroller of the treasury the average annualized general increase in state employee’s compensation during that fiscal year.

“Average annualized general increase in state employee’s compensation” means the average percentage increase in base salaries for state employees, plus the equivalent percentage increase in average state employees’ salaries represented by recurring appropriation amounts provided to improve the level of retirement benefits, longevity benefits, and deferred compensation benefits or other similar benefits that are made available to state employees, not including health insurance benefits.

MAYORS/EXECUTIVES. The county mayor’s compensation shall be at least 5 percent higher than the salary paid to any other county constitutional officer (T.C.A. § 8-24-102(e)). The salaries noted above are based upon the assumption that the general officers and the sheriff receive the statutory minimum amount. Therefore, the minimum salary of the county mayor in a particular county may be higher than the amounts listed above if other officials are paid in excess of the statutory minimum. For example, if the sheriff is paid more than the minimum amount the mayor must be paid at least 5 percent more than the sheriff’s actual salary.

HIGHWAY OFFICIALS. The compensation of the chief administrative officer of the county highway department shall be at least 10 percent higher than the salary paid to the general officers of the county (T.C.A. § 8-24-102(g)). The salaries noted above are based upon the assumption that the general officers receive the statutory minimum amount. Therefore, the minimum salary of the chief administrative officer in a particular county may be higher than the amounts listed above if county general officials are paid in excess of the statutory minimum. The County Uniform Highway Law does not apply to Shelby, Davidson, Knox, or Hamilton Counties.

SHERIFFS. The compensation of the sheriff shall be at least 10 percent higher than the salary paid to the general officers of the county (T.C.A. § 8-24-102(g)). The salaries noted above are based upon the assumption that the general officers receive the statutory minimum amount. Therefore, the minimum salary of the sheriff in a particular county may be higher than the amounts listed above if the county general officials are paid in excess of the statutory minimum. Sheriffs may receive additional compensation set by the county legislative body for ex-officio services as workhouse superintendent (T.C.A. § 8-24-103(a)(3); 8-24-111).

CLERKS OF COURT. Clerks of court that serve more than one court may, at the discretion of the county legislative body, be paid additional compensation in the amount of ten percent of the clerk’s base compensation. Increases paid to court clerks under this provision will result in an increase in the minimum salary for the sheriff, highway superintendent, and county mayor. (T.C.A. § 8-24-102(j)(2)).

ASSESSORS OF PROPERTY. The minimum salary of the assessor of property is equal to the minimum salary paid to general officers of the county (T.C.A. § 8-24-102). If the general officers of the county are paid an amount in excess of the minimum, the assessor will also receive at least that much. Also, the county legislative body may provide additional salary for the assessor pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-1-508(b) and (c). See T.C.A. § 8-24-102(h).

ADMINISTRATORS OF ELECTIONS. These figures are minimum salaries for certified administrators of elections in counties where the election commission office is open five full days a week. The figures represent ninety percent (90%) of the base salary of the assessor of property for counties falling within these population classifications (T.C.A. § 2-12- 208). The county legislative body may provide additional salary for certified administrators of elections in excess of these amounts (T.C.A. § 2-12-208(b)).

GENERAL SESSIONS COURT JUDGES. Salaries of general sessions court judges are to be increased annually in the same manner as state court judges, which is the actual percentage change in the consumer price index between the previous two calendar years (T.C.A. §§ 16-15-5003 and 8-23-103). CTAS does not prepare salary schedules for general sessions court judges because the salaries in each county are based on the private acts and general laws that apply in each particular county and on salary calculations made by the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to T.C.A. § 16-15-5003(i)(7).

June 20, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

First the Carnival, and then the Fair!

Although the 2024 edition of the DeKalb County Fair won’t officially begin with all the shows and events until Monday, June 24, fairgoers can get a jump start on the fun with carnival rides Friday through Sunday, June 21-23.

The fairgrounds will be open (Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.) with free gate admission to anyone who wants to purchase a ticket or armband for carnival rides and games on the midway by James Gang Amusements. Armband prices for those three days only, June 21-23 will be $20 each day. Food vendors will be on site.

Rides and games on the midway during the fair June 24-29 will also be provided by James Gang Amusements

Since 1856, the DeKalb County Fair has been offering entertainment, Midway rides, food, exhibits, pageants, livestock shows and other action-packed events. Now in its 168th year, the Grandpa Fair of the South continues to live up to its 2024 theme of “Celebrating What Makes a Community Great.”

New fair events during the week this year include a Bump N Run Derby, Monster Truck Show, and Rodeo along with other old favorites, a demolition derby and motorcycle and ATV racing, among others. Lions Club Pavilion entertainment will feature David Turner and Friends, Center Hill Ramblers, Zone Status Band, Relentless Youth, Harvest Moon, and Square Dancing by Smithville Select, Caney Fork Circle Eight, DeKalb Dancing Delights and Center Hill Hoedown Square Dancers, among others.

The schedule of Fair events on opening night, Monday June 24 is as follows:

Monday, June 24:
Cattle Show-Ag Center- 6:00 p.m.
Junk Car/Bump N Run- TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Jr. Fair Princess (13-16)- Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Fairest of the Fair (17-20)- Lions Pavilion – following
Miss Fair Queen (21-54)- Lions Pavilion – following
Lip Sync Battle (Round 1)- Lions Pavilion – following
Open Poultry Show (All Week)- Barn
Cash Drawing-Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Visit the DeKalb County Fair website at the link below for further information at www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

2024 DeKalb County Fair – Radio Sponsors
DTC Communications
Middle Tennessee Electric
Wal-Mart
Liberty State Bank
Rogers Group
Wilson Bank & Trust
Mike Eaton – Blackwell Realty And Auction
Wilson County Motors
Heavenly Landscape & Tree Service
Three Forks Market
Farm Credit Mid-America
DeKalb Farmers Co-op
A Degree Above Heating & Cooling
Adams Dental, PLLC – Drs John & Laura Adams
Alexandria Family Care
B&G Supply
Blake Taylor Heating, Air & Electrical
Creative Graphics
Cumberland Supply
DeKalb Animal Clinic
DeKalb County Farm Bureau
DeKalb Funeral Chapel
FirstBank
Galaxy Ford in Smithville
Gina Denman – The Real Estate Team
Hawk Specialty Services
Industrial Machine Service, Inc
Junk & Jewels On The Square
Love Cantrell Funeral Home
Luke Prichard Excavating & Trucking
NHC Healthcare
Powell & Meadows
Regions Bank
Sam’s Pressure Washing & Soft Wash
Sissy Prichard Fish & Betsy Smith – Town N Lake
Slager Performance LLC, Excavation, Demoilition & Land Clearing
Southern Landscape
Stain & Seal Experts
State Representative Michael Hale
Sunbelt Rentals
Tennessee Credit
The Barn at Rowland Hills
The One Call Auction
Twin K Construction
W T Welding – Tyler Cripps
WJLE

DeKalb County Fair – Fair Sponsors
C & S Farms
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative
City Smithville AND Smithville Golf Course & Swimming Pool
DeKalb County Florist
DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District
DeKalb Prevention Coalition
DJs Pizza & Steakhouse of Alexandria
Gill Automotive
Grant Cedar Mill
Hosanna Farm
MARQLABS
Middle Tennessee Natural Gas
Smithville Food Lion
Swallows Insurance
The Smithville Review

DeKalb County Fair – Pavilion Sponsors
A.Vester Parsley, Attorney
Alexandria Auto Parts
Avant Funeral Home
Brown Hauling & Excavating
C&C Market and Deli
Campbell’s Garage
Cantrell’s Furniture & Appliance
Curtis Supply
David W. Lawrence, Attorney
DeKalb Ace Hardware
DeKalb County Insurance, Inc.
DeKalb County Stockyard
DeKalb Dental Center
DeKalb Elected Officials
DeKalb Title, LLC
DTC Security
F Z Webb & Sons Pharmacy
Foutch Eyecare
Gammon & Drueck CPAs
Greg Dugdale Properties
Griffin’s Produce
Keith Blair, Attorney
Lebanon Chemical Inc/The Pool’s Edge
Mid-State Precision, Inc.
Rochelle, McCulloch & Aulds
Savvy Scrubs and More / P.T.S.
Smith Farmers Co-op
Tramel CPA Group
Twisted Sifter Sweets
Webb House Retirement Center

DeKalb County Fair – Business Card Sponsors
Betty Lattimore – The Real Estate Team

June 20, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Over the course of the last few months, members of the newly formed Drug Task Force, consisting of officers of the Smithville Police and the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department have executed search warrants resulting in arrests.

In one of the cases, 32-year-old Joshua McAllen Beckham of White Street, Smithville was charged with sale and delivery of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, alteration of a serial number on a weapon, and for being an armed and dangerous felon. At the time of his arrest, bond was set at $61,500.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 22 while executing a search warrant at 303 White Street, a residence known to be occupied by Beckham, a convicted felon, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Smithville Police Officers found in Beckham’s bedroom a Harrington and Richardson 20-gauge shotgun with the serial number removed. Beckham had in his possession 1.6 grams of meth, several small baggies consistent with the resale of narcotics and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia items as well as a Cobra FS380 handgun.

Meanwhile 60-year-old James Bullard of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown was charged with possession of methamphetamine, Xanax, buprenorphine, and marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. At the time of his arrest, bond was set at $97,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 31 officers executed a search warrant at 1429 King Ridge Road, Dowelltown. While conducting a search of the residence, two plastic baggies containing a white crystal substance believed to be meth, three pieces of yellow pills thought to be Xanax, and four and a half orange pills believed to be buprenorphine were located in a magnetic box from a bedroom. The search also turned up in the home, glass pipes, digital scales, a small glass jar and a metal container with white residue. During a search of Bullard himself, a plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was found in his front left pants pocket.

“True public safety requires a collaboration between the Police Department and Sheriff’s Department. Working together we are able to combine our resources and work force to better fight the war on drugs in our communities,” said Police Chief Mark Collins.

“The Sheriff’s Department and Police Department are trying to use every available resource possible to stop the distribution of narcotics. We are committed to our citizens to provide strict, but fair, law enforcement efforts concerning the sale and/or delivery of narcotics in our cities within DeKalb County,” added Sheriff Ray.

More arrests are forth coming.

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