“Pulling for Carter” Benefit Tractor Pull Saturday at Fairgrounds

October 16, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Fair Association and the Alexandria Lion’s Club are sponsoring a benefit Tractor Pull for Carter Hale in his battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma this Saturday, October 19 at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds.

“Pulling for Carter” kicks off at 5 p.m. and all proceeds will go toward Carter’s medical expenses. The cost for admission is $10 and its free to children ages 5 and younger. The Lion’s Club will be serving up their famous BBQ along with a full concession menu from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Even if you’re not into the Tractor Pull, stop by the AG Center Building for a BBQ plate and help support Carter and his family.

“Carter and his family are special to our community, the Lions Club, and the Fair Association. Since June, Carter has been a true warrior, facing chemo with incredible strength and positivity. Now, its our turn to pull together and show him how much we care,” said Matt Boss, DeKalb County Fair President.

October 16, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Full time courthouse security officer Mark Milam went to work last week and he may soon be getting some help.

The county budget committee met Tuesday night and voted 5-0 to recommend to the full county commission that a shared part time security officer position be created to fill the gap when Milam takes breaks including for lunch.

According to County Mayor Matt Adcock, a constable will most likely be used for the shared part- time job possibly working from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. five days a week. The cost to the county this fiscal year from November to June is $13,279. For a full year, it would be $20,253.

Milam was hired by the county last month to fill the role of full-time courthouse security officer at $18 per hour based on a 40-hour week.  The position without benefits (this year) is $37,440 and with benefits included (next year) its $49,030 with social security, retirement, health insurance, unemployment, and Medicare. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Neither Constable Milam or the part time officer will be working for the sheriff’s department. Their supervisor will be the county mayor.

The east side entrance to the courthouse near the handicapped ramp on the second floor has been identified by the county to be the only secured entry point. Constable Milam or the part time officer will be posted there with a metal detector. Until more secure exterior doors and locks are acquired, Milam and the part time officer will roam the courthouse.

Meanwhile, the budget committee Tuesday night voted to recommend to the county commission that new secure exterior doors, locks, and signage be purchased for the courthouse based on a quote obtained from County Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker. Funds for the purchase (up to $30,000) would come from the county’s capital projects fund subject to approval by the county commission. Bids would also have to be let for the project.

Reading from a text message to him from Parker, County Mayor Adcock informed the budget committee that to replace 10 doors including for the east, west, and basement side entrances in a light bronze color similar to what is there now and to add a code approved panic device would be $2,500 for each door for a total of $25,000. Signage for all 10 doors depending on the type of lettering would be $100-$150 per door or up to $1,500.

October 15, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Conditional funding for construction of a new elementary school has cleared a hurdle

During a meeting Tuesday night, the county budget committee voted 5-0 to recommend to the full county commission that a 30-year bond resolution be adopted not to exceed $55 million for construction of a new elementary school provided that the four municipalities in the county approve extending their existing sales tax agreements with the county for the life of the bond. The cities have until January 1 to act based on terms of the bonds for the project if issued as early as February.

If the cities extend their sales tax agreements and the county commission approves the budget committee’s recommendation, funds for construction of a new school would be totally supported from the local purpose fund (local option sales taxes) to debt service to cover the projected costs. No property tax dollars would be needed to fund it.

“I would make a motion that we make a recommendation back to the full commission for a 30-year bond issue not to exceed $55 million contingent upon the other cities in the county agreeing to the extension of the sales tax agreement by January 1 because these numbers are based on February 1. This is to be fully funded with existing sales tax proceeds assuming the other cities extend their agreements, and the issuance of bonds would only be for what is needed to cover the projected costs,” said budget committee member Tom Chandler.

Budget committee member Mathias Anderson offered a second to the motion and fellow members Sabrina Farler, Tony (Cully) Culwell, and Chairman Jeff Barnes all voted in favor. Budget committee members Tony Luna and Glynn Merriman were absent.

During a joint meeting with the Board of Education and Director of Schools on October 8, the County Commission and County Mayor heard from Brian Templeton of Upland Design Group, the school board’s architect on plans to build a new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace the existing Smithville Elementary complex. The construction would be on property adjacent to Northside Elementary School.

Templeton conducted a power point presentation showing a rendering of the proposed new school as well as the schematic design and floor plans. The commission had first been shown the plans in a joint meeting with the school board two years ago.

According to Templeton, the plans are exactly the same except for the cost. In September 2022 the projected cost to build this proposed 124,207 square foot facility was $46,199,875. Today, the projected cost is $53,414,825.

Under the sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of the 30-year bond in order to cover the costs without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

Some city leaders have apparently been reluctant to commit to an extension until the county gets serious about new school construction.

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