Residents concerned about rumors of possible jail/judicial center plans for their neighborhood (View Video Here)

February 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

If and when the time comes, where will the county build a jail/justice center?

See video on our youtube channel

Rumors that the county might be looking at property in the area of the hospital and golf course on Riley Avenue have neighbors there worried and they showed up Thursday night at the county commission’s committee of the whole meeting to express their concerns.

While it is true that at recent jail committee meetings, property on Riley Avenue owned by the hospital has been mentioned as a potential location, so have many other sites but the county has settled on neither of them.

Prior to the public comments period, County Mayor Matt Adcock tried to clarify the matter and ease public concerns during Thursday night’s meeting.

“I think there might have been rumors that got out that we have bought some property by Riley Avenue for a jail which is false. The county has not made any action on any property. We have explored many different options throughout the county but we have not purchased any land and I haven’t heard any county commissioner say anything in support of buying any land off of Riley Avenue by the hospital or golf course. Tuesday night, February 27 our jail committee will be meeting at 5 p.m. in the history room of the county complex where a lot of that conversation (questions) will probably be answered in detail,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Dr. Timothy Tobitt, a resident of Riley Avenue, addressed the commission during the public comment period imploring the county to not consider building a jail or justice center in a residential neighborhood. Dr. Tobitt also had a petition signed by dozens of concerned citizens which he plans to present to the jail committee Tuesday night.

“Would you want this in your back yard, “asked Dr. Tobitt. “This property (possibly being considered) borders Riley and Lincoln Street and has been graded as commercial property, but it sets in the middle of all residential homes. Think of the detriment that it would bring to public property and what it would do to property values, resales, etc. and what it does from a resource perspective. Up until a few years ago until that property was developed there weren’t areas close by that even had sewer. So, we can look at the price tag as to whatever the offer may be from the hospital perspective, but I’ll bet you will double that (cost) easily trying to do (land) prepping,” said Dr. Tobitt.

“Another concern is that I have four young children and I don’t want to look out the back door of my home and have to see people wearing orange jumpsuits looking at my daughters swimming in the pool”.

Dr. Tobitt also questioned the need for building a jail for as many as 272 beds, as has been recommended by a County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) jail study to meet future needs although the county is seeking cost options for fewer beds.

“Do we really need to be pushing that envelope to say to people who come to our town that we have the biggest and best jail because when people move (relocate here) they want to know what our infrastructure is and how are our schools. If we don’t take care of the school’s part, I’m afraid we’ll need the 272 beds but I am happy to hear those 272 beds is kind of a no (by the county),” he said.

Tonya Sullivan of Willow Oak Drive also addressed the commission and echoed Dr. Tobbit’s request that the county not build a jail in a residential area.

“I realize that you as commissioners need to do something to address the concerns. I requested from the county mayor (today) information about what the state is requiring for the number of beds and I asked if there was a recommendation, but I did not get that paperwork (prior to the meeting). I am asking that this board not put this (jail/judicial center) in a residential area whether it be on Riley Avenue or any other but to keep it downtown. There is property downtown that would be available even in a remodel or however you need to do that to address the concerns that you have. I know surrounding counties do not have 272 beds. I am not sure what number we are trying to obtain but I think purchasing property and relocating is a mistake. We already have facilities, and we would be paying today’s prices to get what we (already) have and then adding to that. I don’t feel like that would be a responsible action. I would like to compel upon you not to locate it in a neighborhood that would impact people’s property values. The residents on Riley Avenue in the Oaks community have worked really hard. We have restrictions there and this would be completely impeding on everything everyone has worked for and it wouldn’t be any different if it were in your back yard. It (jail) is located downtown right now so I don’t see why we would want to move that. I think there is property available that the county owns or can obtain so I would ask that you keep it downtown and not abandon the downtown area. The courthouse is still viable. Even if you left the (current jail) facilities and did a full justice center this county still has to maintain that building (courthouse). We still have to fix the (courthouse) heat and air. I understand someone said today we didn’t have heat in there. We still have to maintain that. You’re not saving any money. I hope that you do the responsible thing with the county’s money,” said Sullivan.

Steve Mitchell of 440 West Main Street also addressed the commission making the same appeal as both Dr. Tobitt and Sullivan.

“My family moved to Smithville about a year and a half ago. It was a real blessing because it was a real chance for us to get back to middle Tennessee. My wife and I are both originally from middle Tennessee. We had been gone for about 25 years due to work and other reasons. We always wanted to return to middle Tennessee and Smithville and DeKalb County provided a way for that to happen and was more affordable than being in Nashville and it reminded us of the Tennessee we grew up in. We fell in love with Smithville and DeKalb County, and we have cherished our time here so far. Obviously with the rumor that there could potentially be a plot of land off Riley Avenue (for a jail) I would also ask that this property not be a consideration for that because we are very close, just a property away from that and because this is a beautiful little area of town,” said Mitchell.

During Tuesday night’s Jail committee meeting, the county’s architect and contractor are expected to provide cost projections for a possible 150, 190 or 225 bed jail facility.

Again, even if the jail committee decides on the number of beds for a new jail or judicial center, the county has not yet identified a suitable location to build it.

February 23, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s local option sales tax collections for January, 2024 were up significantly compared to December, 2023 and January 2023.

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, DeKalb County collected $222,079 in local option sales taxes in January, 2024 which was up from $168,325 in December and an increase from collections of $182,660 in January, 2023.

Smithville’s collections for January, 2024 were $573,752, an increase from $392,126 in December, and up from $418,757 in January, 2023.

Alexandria’s local option sales tax collections stood at $32,635 in January, up from $29,672 in December but below the $36,751 collected in January, 2023.

Dowelltown’s collections for January were $4,318, a jump from $3,510 in December but just under $4,655 in January, 2023.

Collections in Liberty stood at $13,933 in January compared to $12,527 in December and $13,799 in January, 2023.

Net collections for the county and cities combined for January, 2024 were $846,718, up from $606,162 in December, 2023 and significantly more than the $656,624 collections in January, 2023.

January collections reflect activity for the previous month.

February 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Election Commission reports that a total of 109 people voted Saturday, February 24 in the March 5 primaries including 99 in person and 10 by absentee. Of that number, 98 cast ballots in the Republican Primary and 11 in the Democratic Primary.

That brings the nine-day early voting total to 808 of which, 742 have voted in the Republican Primary and 66 in the Democratic Primary.

The early voting period is underway through Tuesday, February 27 at the courthouse in Smithville. The Absentee ballot request deadline is Tuesday, February 27.

The remaining dates for early voting in Smithville are as follows:

Monday, February 26: (1 p.m. until 5 p.m.)

Tuesday, February 27: (9 a.m. until 1 p.m.)

Election day voting, March 5 will be from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at all 12 precincts in DeKalb County.

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