County Defunds Financial Advisor Position

July 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The county is currently without a financial advisor.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission voted to defund the position held for several years by Steve Bates.

After adopting the consolidated budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year which included the $15,000 for Bates’ services, the commission approved a budget amendment offered by First District Commissioner Julie Young to remove the $15,000 line item from the budget. The vote was 8-6.

Commissioners voting to defund the position were Julie Young, Bobby Johnson, Janice Fish Stewart, Myron Rhody, Jenny Trapp, Dennis Slager, Matt Adcock, and Bruce Malone. Commissioners voting to fund it were Anita Puckett, Sabrina Farler, Scott Little, Jeff Barnes, Beth Pafford and Jerry Adcock.

According to the budget, Bates is paid $15,000 a year for his services primarily to help the county prepare annual budgets. In past projects, Bates has also earned a commission for his involvement in the sale of bonds on behalf of the county.

“In 2019-20 the fiscal agent was paid $15,000 in December 2019 but another check was issued in March for $1,500 in 2020 but I don’t know what for yet,” said Young.

Young said she had no “personal ill will” against Bates but felt the county could get the same services free of charge through the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS).

Bates has been working for the county in this role as a contracted service for several years. He was brought in during the administration of County Mayor Mike Foster and has stayed on under County Mayor Tim Stribling.

July 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Speed limits will soon be posted on three more county roads.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission voted to establish a posted 35 mile per hour speed limit on the Ragland Bottom Road to the US Army Corps of Engineers line and a 30 mile per hour limit on the Four Seasons Road from the Young Bend Cemetery to the Corps of Engineers line. A 30 mile per hour speed limit will also be posted on Dearman Street from the Smithville City Limits to Bright Hill Road. The portion of Dearman Street in the city is already posted at 30 miles per hour.

Fifth district commissioner Jerry Adcock made the motion saying 38 people had signed a petition in support of the speed limit on the Four Seasons Road. Adcock included Ragland Bottom Road in his motion. Three years ago several residents on Ragland Bottom Road submitted a petition asking for a speed limit there but the county commission at that time rejected the request.

County Mayor Tim Stribling said several people on Dearman Street had also asked if the county could extend the 30 mile per hour speed limit on Dearman Street from the city limits to Bright Hill Road.

All 14 county commissioners voted in favor of Adcock’s motion.

July 27, 2020
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber was honored to be asked to have a Ribbon Cutting Monday for the DeKalb Middle School renovations.

What started as a vision for DeKalb Middle School through a conversation between a few of the DMS staff, administration and the district maintenance supervisor developed into an entirely new entrance with vestibule, office space, and a new partition dividing the cafeteria and commons area.

DeKalb Middle School was built in 1971 with an open floor plan. At the time, many new schools were being constructed utilizing this concept. Unfortunately, these plans fell short in providing for future growth in schools. Over the years, DeKalb Middle School has had several walls and doors added throughout the building, creating a more natural school environment. Although Dekalb Middle still has 8 classrooms and a library without walls, those classes utilize lockers and dividers as partitions to divide the class from the hallways.

Unfortunately, the entrance of DMS had not had any renovations. The commons area of the building was unusually large and not utilized to its fullest potential. DeKalb Middle now boasts an entirely new entrance with the school colors vividly grabbing your attention as you enter the sidewalk. The original entrance doors and windows are now wrapped in the letters, DMS Saints along with the Saint Bernard mascot, inviting you into the building. Once you have entered the building, you are now greeted by the receptionist in a new office, as well as the SRO office.

DeKalb Middle School Principal Lacey Foutch, Assistant Principal Anita Puckett, and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps from dwayne page on Vimeo.

The new vestibule has created a safer environment for the entire building. With additional doors and the inspirational quote “In a world where you can be anything, BE Kind,” the flow of the building reflects what DMS wants their students to personify.

The new construction has also given the cafeteria more space to be used more productively. With new double doors, new ceilings, lighting, and fresh school colors throughout, the upgrades are sure to impress the returning students.

In addition, the new gym floors have been resurfaced this summer as well as a newly painted entrance floor to the new gym.

DMS would like to thank everyone in making these visions complete:

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, School Board members: Danny Parkerson, Alan Hayes, Jim Beshearse, Kate Miller, W. J. “Dub” Evins, Doug Stephens and Shaun Tubbs. Also, the team at Upland Design Group, Lee Adcock Construction, Taylor Construction, Outlaw Graphics, Aaron Young, Tonya Sullivan, Lacey Foutch, and Anita Puckett.

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