Still No Decision Yet from Alexandria on Extension of Sales Tax Agreement

November 21, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A discussion but no vote!

During Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Alexandria mayor and aldermen, Mayor Beth Tripp opened up a discussion about the county’s request for the municipality to extend its sales tax agreement through 2055 to help fund a new elementary school.

Although the aldermen did not discuss it among themselves at this meeting and there was no vote taken, Mayor Tripp gave the public a chance to express their views and a couple of people did questioning how extending the agreement would be in the best interest of Alexandria. Under the county’s terms, the cities including Alexandria have until January 1 to act on extending their sales tax agreements.

The aldermen in both the cities of Smithville and Liberty have voted to extend their sales tax agreements with the county. In Smithville, it was made conditional on the county issuing bonds for a new school within one year.

“I want to bring up the sales tax that Smithville (DeKalb County) is wanting to extend with us. If the public would like to speak on that whether they want us to do it or not to do it its open for discussion,” said Mayor Tripp.

“I’m Margaret Stevens of West Main Street. I have read up on it and I was just wondering what the advantage is. That’s for the school,” asked Stevens.

“Yes” replied Mayor Tripp.

“So that’s for the school but I am told that it will not be to the advantage of anybody in Alexandria,” said Stevens.

“Well, the money that is set aside that was agreed upon has helped build onto the west school and done other things for the west school that did not at that time benefit Smithville kids, but they (county) did it anyway because we had an agreement with them. So, if we want future endeavors on building things down here (west school) I am just asking for opinions right now,” said Mayor Tripp.

“That’s me. I’m just asking too if it will be an advantage”, Stevens replied.

“I’m for the people and I want the best for my residents and that goes for everyone who lives here whether you are for me or not I want the best for everybody. Everyone’s opinion matters,” said Mayor Tripp.

“Mayor you might mention the city already has a sales tax contract with the county for another 13 years which you can’t change,” explained City Attorney Vester Parsley.

“What they (county) are asking the cities to do, and they have asked every city in the county to contribute extra money from their sales tax to go to the school funds which would not only help build schools but also do other things that are beneficial to schools. Its true that what they are really talking about primarily right now is building a new elementary school in Smithville to replace the old Smithville Elementary School but over the years the money has been used some for the west school. I think that front addition was all built through that money and that debt has been retired. That was money that came from (sales tax) in Smithville, Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Liberty”, said Parsley.

“My name is Bobbie Ford and I live on Cumberland Avenue in Alexandria. As far as the sales tax goes, I am a teacher. I do not teach in DeKalb County, but I am a teacher, and I understand the money. I do not think that is a good idea for Alexandria to do (extend sales tax agreement) because I think that benefits our citizens. We could use that tax money for so many things here in our community. I would like to see that money used here in the community before we send it out. We are already giving them tax money,” said Ford.

“Keep in mind we are still under contract to do it for another 13 years,” replied Mayor Tripp.

“That’s great but I think we shouldn’t add to that and keep it here in our community,” added Ford.

Under the existing sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of a 30-year bond up to $55 million in order to cover the costs of a new school without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

November 21, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Ricky Atnip Is still the leader among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters picking winners after twelve weeks of the college football season.

Ricky has a record of 124-56 followed by Scott Goodwin and Dewain Hendrixson each at 119-61, Darrell Gill 118-62, John Pryor 115-65, Scott Brown 114-66, Grant James and Alex Woodward each at 113-67, and Chad Kirby 108-72.

For the week, Ricky Atnip had the best record at 12-3 followed by Darrell Gill, Grant James, Scott Brown, Alex Woodward, Chad Kirby, Dewain Hendrixson, and Scott Goodwin each at 11-4 and John Pryor at 10-5.

Three of the forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Grant James picked up 20.5 points with Stanford’s win over Louisville. Chad Kirby added 9 points to his total as Arizona State beat Kansas State and Scott Goodwin picked up 8.5 points as Syracuse defeated California.

Overall, Darrell Gill has the lead in underdog points with 36. Grant James has 34 points. Dewain Hendrixson 30.5, Chad Kirby 28.5, Scott Goodwin 22, Ricky Atnip and John Pryor each with 20, Alex Woodward 18.5, and Scott Brown 11.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Indiana at Ohio State, Army at Notre Dame, Pittsburgh at Louisville, BYU at Arizona State, Penn State at Minnesota, Wisconsin at Nebraska, UCONN at Syracuse, Texas A&M at Auburn, Alabama at Oklahoma, Missouri at Mississippi State, Virginia Tech at Duke, Ole Miss at Florida, Vanderbilt at LSU, UTEP at Tennessee and in the NFL the Tennessee Titans at the Houston Texans.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and the LIVE stream at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Wilson Bank & Trust, and Domino’s Pizza.

November 20, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Twelve people were indicted by the new term of the grand jury Tuesday, November 19 and sealed indictments were returned against persons in eight other cases. Arraignment day for these defendants is December 9 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

Those indicted (except sealed indictments) and their charges are as follows:

Elisha Marie Boles: forgery under $1,000.

Frank Andy Checchi: possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, possession of a schedule II drug (Fentanyl) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver (2 counts), possession of a schedule II drug (ANPP) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver (2 counts), possession of a schedule II drug (Cocaine) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, child abuse and neglect (8 years old or younger) (2 counts), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Andrea Colleen Claspell: aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, assault, vandalism under $1,000, DUI, and DUI per se.

Steven Michael Hunt: boating under the influence.

Amber Leigh Merlo: possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, theft of property over $2,500, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Dwayne Moore: boating under the influence, possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, possession of a schedule IV drug (Diazepam) with intent to sell/deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melinda Beth Murphy: possession of a schedule II drug (ANPP) under 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, possession of a schedule II drug (Fentanyl) under 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, forgery under $1,000, and theft under $1,000.

Jeffery Lynn Sanders: possession of a schedule II drug (ANPP) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, possession of a schedule II drug (Fentanyl) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell/deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amanda Dawn Stringer: harassment

Dustin Kane Underhill: theft of property over $10,000.

Amanda Nicole Wilson: tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a revoked license due to DUI.

Misty Dawn Wilson: simple possession of a schedule V drug (Gabapentin)

« First ‹ Previous 1 19 27 28 2930 31 39 129 2495 Next › Last »