More potential candidates have picked up petitions for two upcoming city elections in August.

Curtis Rust has obtained a petition for Mayor in the August 2 Smithville Municipal Election.

In Alexandria, Doyle Hendrix picked up a petition for Mayor and Lloyd Dyer, Eddie Shane Blair and Bridgette Rogers have all picked up petitions for Aldermen in that town’s August 2 election.

The qualifying deadline for the municipal elections is Noon, April 5.

Meanwhile, local voters are reminded of key dates for the May 1 DeKalb County Democratic Primary.

“Two important things to keep in mind at this point are the registration deadline and the updating of addresses,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections.

“If you are not registered but want to participate in the May 1 primary election, April 2 is the last day you can register in person at the election office,” he said.

Voter registration forms are available at the election office on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse; on line at www.dekalbelections.com (and clicking on the voter registration tab at the top left of the page) and https://sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-information.

As far as address changes go, Stanley said keeping your address up to date could prevent a delay in voting on Election Day or even during early voting.

“If you have moved since you last voted, you may have to vote at a different location on May 1,” he said. “Keep in mind, if you have moved and did not notify our office, you will have paperwork to fill out on Election Day and you may have to go to a different place to vote.”

Voters who want to check their status can call the election office at 615-597-4146 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Another tool for voters is the GoVoteTN app for smartphones and computer desktops. The app can be downloaded at the iTunes store or Google Play.

The app provides a variety of information about the upcoming election, including a way for voters to check their current status.

The county budget committee will soon begin work preparing a spending plan for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

During an all-committees workshop of the county commission Thursday night, County Mayor Tim Stribling said budget forms will be sent out to all department administrators Monday for them to return with any requests they may have for the new budget year.

Stribling shared with the Commissioners information on how much money the county is expected to receive from the current tax rate in the new fiscal year.

The overall tax rate is $1.8335 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The rate is distributed as follows:

County General: 0.9635 cents
General Purpose Schools: 0.6100 cents
Debt Service: 0.1200 cents
Highways/Public Works: 0.0300 cents
General Capital Projects: 0.1100 cents

Revenue from the current property tax assessments for the 2018-19 fiscal year based upon estimated assessed valuations of $497 million dollars is $49,700 per one cent of the property tax rate. However the county is actually expected to receive $46,658 per cent of the tax rate based on a 94% collection rate or a 6% delinquency.

The estimated net collection from the overall property tax rate is $8,565,745 in local revenue to help fund the county general department, general purpose schools, debt service, highways/public works, and general capital projects.

The net estimated local property tax collection for each department is as follows:

County General: $4,501,279
General Purpose Schools: $2,849,798
Debt Service: $560,616
Highways/Public Works: $140,154
General Capital Projects: $513,898