The City of Smithville will be losing more than $60,000 a year in local option sales tax revenue to the county.

A recent study by a Murfreesboro firm, under contract with the county, found that local sales tax revenue derived by a handful of businesses located near but outside the city limits of Smithville were erroneously being credited to the city instead of the county. That money, which comes to $60,568 for the last 12 months, will be re-directed from the city to the county. All future local sales tax receipts from those businesses will now be credited to the county.

City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson made the mayor and aldermen aware of the finding during Monday night’s monthly city council meeting.

“I got a letter from the Financial and Control Division of the Tennessee Department of Revenue concerning our local sales tax. They sent me a list of businesses and asked if they were inside or outside the incorporated city limits. Every one of those (businesses) they sent me were outside of the city limits. We’ve been collecting local sales taxes from those businesses for a long time. The state went back twelve months filed by the taxpayers of those businesses. The amount of local sales tax credited to the city in error is $60, 568. This amount will be deducted from the City of Smithville and credited to DeKalb County,” said Hendrixson.

The review was authorized by the county commission last October when it entered into a Revenue Enhancement Consulting Agreement with the Barrett Group of Murfreesboro.

During a prior workshop, Donna Barrett of the Barrett Group addressed the county commission to explain the proposal.

Under the agreement, the Barrett Group was to conduct a review to make sure the county is getting all the revenues it is due from various state taxes that local businesses pay including sales tax, Hall income tax, beer and liquor tax, excise tax, etc.

For example, if a municipality within the county is found from this review to be erroneously receiving any tax revenues from businesses outside of the municipality, then the mistake will be corrected and the tax money will be re-directed to the county.

The Barrett Group is to receive 50% of any extra revenues generated to the county from this review only for the first year. After the first year, no further fees will be paid to Barrett. Had the review turned up no mistakes, the county would not have owed Barrett anything.

DeKalb’s very first Creative Arts Camp is kicking off registration this week at the DeKalb Community Complex. Josh Issac the newly hired Director of the Complex is organizing this Camp for kids 1st grade through 8th grade who have a passion for all things Arts.

“ I am very excited to bring one of my dreams to life as we gear up for this Arts Camp that brings Music, Acting, and Art to our community,” said Issac.

This camp will be offered at the DeKalb Community Complex on June 4-8. The cost is $75. This pays for all supplies and cost of instructors. This team of instructors are highly trained and excited to teach your children. Helen Sifaik will teach Art, Kennette Dixon will teach Music, Josh Issac will teach Acting,

And Martha Melching will help with choreography and stage production. If you want more info or sign up please visit the Complex or call 615-597-2121. Deadline with no penalty will be May 26th.

The 21st annual Relay for Life in DeKalb County will be held Friday, May 11 at Greenbrook Park from 5-11 p.m.

Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. This year’s theme is “HOPE”.

The schedule of entertainment and events for this year’s Relay program is as follows:
5:15 p.m.: Terry Hodges
5:35 p.m.: Kathy Goodwin
5:55 p.m.: Presentation of the Colors by Boy Scout Troop #347
National Anthem sung by Suzanne Slager
Invocation by Bill Robertson

6:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony for Relay 2018
Welcoming remarks Renea Cantrell
Introduction of cancer survivors
Prayer for cancer survivors by Joel Wood, Pastor of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church
Song honoring cancer survivors by Bonnie Rigsby
Cancer survivors take the first lap around the park

RELAY FOR LIFE BEGINS
Entertainment:
6:15 p.m.: Tina Boston
6:30 p.m.: Victoria and Darrin Vincent
6:45 p.m.: Fluty and the Flutones
7:00 p.m.: David Turner and Friends
7:30 p.m.: Smithville Church of God
8:00 p.m.: Elvis (Kevin Roberts)
8:30 p.m.: DeKalb County Ramblers

9:00 p.m.:
Luminaria Ceremony
Prayer: Chris Moore, Pastor of the Smithville Church of God
9:30 p.m.: Lucky 13 Band (Jarrod Dodd, Scott Cantrell, and Friends)

10:00 p.m. CLOSING CEREMONY

Announcers for the program will be Alex Woodward and George Taylor

At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue.