Smithville Municipal Judgeship Closer to Becoming Four Year Term

June 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Municipal Judgeship is a step closer to becoming a four year rather than a two-year position.

During a special called meeting Thursday evening the Mayor and Board of Aldermen adopted on first reading an ordinance to change the term of the appointed city judge position from two years to four years to be appointed by the mayor and aldermen. If approved on second and final reading following a public hearing at the next meeting, July 11 the new four-year term will begin September 1, 2022.

Other provisions of the ordinance are that the person holding the city judgeship must be at least 30 years of age, licensed by the State of Tennessee to practice law, and must be a resident of DeKalb County. If the appointee should ever move his or her location outside of DeKalb County, he or she must vacate the judgeship. The salary of the city judge must be set by the mayor and aldermen prior to the term and cannot be changed during the term of office. During the absence or disability of the city judge, the governing body may appoint a city judge pro temp to serve until the city judge returns to his or her duties. The city judge must take an oath of office and be bonded.

Since 2006, the municipal judgeship has been a two-year term position with the judge being appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The salary is $1,000 per month. Prior to 2006 the city judge was elected by the voters of Smithville to an eight-year term.

The incumbent City Judge Gayla Hendrix was appointed to her first two-year term in 2020 and it expires August 31.

The municipal judge primarily hears city ordinance violations.

In other business, the aldermen voted to reapply for a $1.25 million Tennessee Department of Transportation Multi-Modal Access Grant for a sidewalk project on Highway 70 East in the city limits. If approved the city would have to meet a 10% grant match or $125,000. The city has applied for and been denied the grant previously.

The aldermen also updated the city’s personnel policy to include the observance of Juneteenth which is now a federal holiday every June 19. The city observed the holiday this past Monday.

June 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2022 “Project Welcome Mat” in time for the Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival July 1 & 2.

This year’s winners are as follows:

*People’s Choice – Wilson Bank & Trust
“Come Have Some Fun in the Sun at Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree #51”

*Most Original – Middle Tennessee Natural Gas
“Welcome to Jamboree 51 Summer Fun since 71”

*Best Worded- Tennessee Credit
“51 Years Fiddlin’ On Gas Prices Be Gone, Cloggin’, Craftin’ and Fun for All has Begun”

Most Creative – Liberty State Bank
“Come for the Music & Crafts, Stories Spun, Food by the Tons, Jamboree 51”

“We want to thank all the businesses for posting their signs to welcome our Jamboree visitors. “It is extremely important to make sure that our valued guests know how appreciated and important they are to us. We hope to see everyone at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival on July 1st and 2nd,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.

June 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A done deal!

During a special called meeting Thursday evening, the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen adopted on second and final reading following a public hearing passage of the budget ordinance for the 2022-23 fiscal year which begins July 1.

Water and sewer rates, which went up by 2% last year, will increase by 4% but city property tax rates will remain the same at 0.7523 cents per $100 of assessed value which is expected to generate $1,350,000.

The budget includes an 11% pay raise for all city employees.

The new water rates for city customers will be $7.70 per thousand gallons of usage. Rates for customers outside the city limits will be $11.55 per thousand. City sewer customers will pay $7.17 per thousand. Tap fees are also being increased.

In addition to the employee raises, the mayor’s pay is being increased from $1,000 to $2,000 per month ($24,000 per year). Pay for each of the five city aldermen will also be doubled from $50 to $100 per meeting (regular and special meetings) and will include workshop meetings (up to $2,400 per year total budgeted for each member).

The new budget also includes the addition of a third paid firefighter (budgeted salary $35,131 plus benefits); making the part-time airport manager position full time (budgeted salary $40,000 plus benefits), increasing the salary of the golf pro shop/pool manager to ($36,000 plus benefits),increasing the 25 volunteer firefighters pay from $25 to $35 per call (total budget $70,000); purchasing a small garbage truck ($115,000), two police cars and related equipment ($82,000), a new roof for the city hall building ($100,000); two new heat and air units for the city hall building ($42,000); the refurbishment of the playground and benches at Green Brook Park ($48,000); tire changer and balancer for the public works department ($15,000); fire department portable radios, new air bags and controller, pickup truck, and site work training (total $61,000). Funds are also included for street paving ($335,000 including $250,000 grant); $699,012 in an obstruction clearing grant for the airport; Fixed asset water and sewer department additions: meter reading software ($12,000), tube settlers ($30,000), and replacement of sewer lines ($703,000 using half of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act Grant Funding).

Through a longstanding agreement, the City of Smithville, DeKalb County Government, and the DeKalb School District, share in the annual cost of paying two traffic control officers in the school zones mornings and afternoons (during the school year) at Northside Elementary School and at DeKalb Middle School/DCHS. The positions are filled by two constables who each earn $17 per hour up to 440 hours per year. Subject to final approval of the funding bodies, the city, county, and school district this year are budgeting an increase in their share of the cost to bring the constables up to $20 per hour for this service.
The city’s annual contribution the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad is increasing from $2,000 to $3,000 with passage of this budget.

General Fund Debt Service for the new police department building is projected to be $172,550 for the year including $100,000 in principal payments and $72,550 in interest on long-term debt.

According to the budget, the city general fund is projected to finish the 2022-23 year with a $244,440 surplus but the surplus for the water and sewer fund is expected to be only $6,403 by June 30, 2023.

Ending cash by June 30, 2022, in the general fund is estimated to be $5,873,189 and $3,803,848 in the water and sewer fund.

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