County Commission Adopts Redistricting Plan

September 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

It’s a done deal!

The DeKalb County Redistricting plan, as recommended by the redistricting committee, was formally adopted by the county commission during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections who served as chairman of the redistricting committee presented the recommendation to the commission. “It is my hope and desire that you pass this plan tonight” he said.

All commissioners in attendance voted in favor.

Only four districts and 264 people in DeKalb County will be affected by the redistricting plan which was prepared and proposed by John Thomas, GIS specialist with the Tennessee Comptroller’s office and recommended by the redistricting committee during a meeting on September 7.

The law requires that counties undergo redistricting every ten years following the US census count to ensure that each district is equally populated or as close to equal as possible. The overall deviation from the optimum population cannot be more than 10%. In DeKalb County’s case, the overall deviation based on the 2020 Census was 11% so minor shifts in population were made to comply with the law. By simply moving 158 people from District 3 to District 2 and shifting 106 residents from District 5 to District 6, the redistricting committee achieved its goal and brought the overall deviation down to 7.5%.

DeKalb County’s total population based on the 2020 Census is 20,080.

The following is a breakdown of the total population in each of the seven districts in the county and the deviation from the optimum in each. The optimum is the total population of 20,080 divided by 7 or almost 2,869 people per district:

District 1: Total Population- 2,860 (-9 people or 0% deviation from optimum)
District 2: Total Population- 2,691 (-178 people or -6% deviation)
District 3: Total Population- 2,992 (+123 people or 4% deviation)
District 4: Total Population- 2,948 (+79 people or 3% deviation)
District 5: Total Population- 2,945 (+76 people or 3% deviation)
District 6: Total Population-2,663 (-206 people or -7% deviation)
District 7: Total Population 2,981 (+112 people or 4% deviation)

During the September 7 redistricting committee meeting, Thomas explained that by law population shifts under redistricting must be done in census blocks which are statistical areas bounded by visible features such as roads and streams. Thomas further defined the boundaries in the districts where the population shifts would be made under this plan.

“We propose to move 158 people from District 3 to District 2. This area is bounded on the northeast by State Route 83; on the north by Vickers Hollow Road; on the southeast by Short Mountain Road; and on the southwest by Lee Braswell Road,” said Thomas.

“We also propose moving 106 people from District 5 to District 6. This area is bounded on the north by Turner Road; on the west by Jacobs Pillar Road; on the south by Cappy Springs Branch; and on the east by McMinnville Highway,” Thomas added.

Now that the county commission has adopted the redistricting plan, the election commission will go to work setting voting precincts and updating voter rolls in time for the 2022 elections.

September 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

County Mayor Tim Stribling was re-elected Chairman of the County Commission Monday night.

Sixth district member Jeff Barnes moved that Stribling be re-elected chairman. Second district member Sabrina Farler offered a second to the motion. Prior to that Seventh district commissioner Bruce Malone made a motion to name Sixth district commissioner Matt Adcock as chairman. Malone’s motion did not receive a second.

All members in attendance at the time voted in favor of Stribling except for Malone.

Sixth district member Jeff Barnes, the longest serving member of the commission at 19 years, was re-elected chairman pro temp. Fifth district commissioner Anita Puckett moved that Barnes be re-elected and commissioner Farler offered a second to the motion. All members in attendance voted for Barnes as Chairman Pro Temp.

The County Commission reorganizes each September naming a chairman and chairman pro temp to serve for the ensuing 12 months

September 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

It’s almost time to pay your county property taxes!

2021 property tax notices will be going out in the mail Thursday, September 30 bearing the color of orange to symbolize energy, joy, happiness, determination, positivity, warmth, and good health.

Property taxes will be due and payable starting October 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2022. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 28, 2022 to avoid any accrued interest.

For 2021, the tax rate has changed from 2.1235 % to 1.7308% per $100.00 of your assessed value. The tax notices include an example provided by Trustee Sean Driver on how the property taxes are calculated.

Example: Appraisal Value————$125,000 X Assessed Value @25%—-$31,250 X Residential Tax Rate @ 1.7308%——$541 Tax Amount to Pay.

“I can say it is true what I was told years ago, “As you get older, time flies.” Another year has passed and it’s that time again for property owners of DeKalb County,” said Trustee Sean Driver. The 2021 property tax notices will be mailed out on September 30, 2021 for annual collection. This year you will see a new “Orange” color on the 2021 property tax notices. Some people like the color orange and some people do not. I chose the “Orange” color this year because of what the color represents to me. With what has happened in our country the last 2 years, we can only think to the positive. So, in choosing the “Orange” color, one has to know it symbolizes Energy, Joy, Happiness, Determination, Positivity, Warmth, and Good Health. From our families here at the Trustee’s offices to all the families we represent, we wish all of these characteristics to yours. Hold your head up, look up, and keep pushing through,” said Driver.

The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes:

*Come in person to the office to pay

*Mail in your payment

*Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor BIS (Business Information Systems) accepts Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express-The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.

* A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website with your I-phone, smartphone, etc @ www.tennesseetrustee.org.

* Dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.

*Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is made.

The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Property Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2021 through April 5, 2022. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief for property taxes, come by the Trustee’s office in the County Complex at 732 S Congress Boulevard-Room 103, Smithville or call 615-597-5176.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:

*The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners tax relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 412 applicants on the program for 2021. As a property owner for 2021, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:

( A.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence, ( B.) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2020, (C.) Under 65 years of age with a total and permanent disability per the SSA or another qualifying agency, and (D.) The 2020 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses DID NOT exceed $31,190. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $126 for 2021. You must pay your 2021 tax bill IN FULL to start the application process.

* Also, the State of Tennessee offers TAX RELIEF to Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $757 for 2021.

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