DeKalb Unemployment Dropped in March. Rate Does Not Reflect Full Impact of COVID-19

April 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Newly released unemployment data shows the jobless rate dropped in two-thirds of Tennessee’s 95 counties including DeKalb during March 2020. The unemployment data for the month does not take into account the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency.

The federal government conducted its survey to measure the number of Tennesseans who were out of work during the second week of the month, between March 8 and 14.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development did not begin to see the unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March.

The DeKalb County unemployment rate for March was 4.6%, down from 4.9% in February but up from 4.4% in March 2019.

The local labor force for March was 7,724. A total of 7,367 were employed and 357 unemployed.

Unemployment rates decreased in 61 counties during March, increased in 18 counties, and remained the same in 16 counties.

Sixty-eight counties had unemployment rates lower than 5% for the month, while 27 counties had rates that were 5% or higher.

Williamson County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in March. At 2.6%, the new rate mirrored February’s rate.

Lincoln County recorded Tennessee’s highest unemployment rate at 7%, which is a 0.2 of a percentage point drop when compared to the previous month.

April 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tiny House may soon be sold.

During Thursday night’s monthly meeting, held by video conference due to COVID-19, the Board of Education conducted a bid opening for the sale of the Tiny House. Only one bid was received and that was from Jerry Alsup of Murfreesboro. But Alsup’s bid of $17,500 was well below the minimum bid of $22,600 established by the board which was the actual cost of construction.

The board tabled action on whether to award or reject the bid until the next meeting on May 7 to give Brad Leach, DCHS Career and Technical Education Director, an opportunity to have some input.

The board had hoped to award a bid for the sale of the Tiny House during the regular monthly meeting in March but after a month of seeking sealed bids none were submitted. In March the board voted to extend the deadline for receiving sealed bids until the April meeting.

The Tiny House was recently completed by students in the DCHS Residential and Commercial Construction Class. It is located near the Vocational School.

The 8’ x 24’ Tiny House stands up to 13 feet and 6 inches and sets on a modified trailer that can be anchored or moved from place to place.

Accommodations in the Tiny House, although compact include a living room, kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping space.

Specific features are as follows:
● Mobility by use of a trailer
● Central heat and air unit
● Cooktop
● Solid wood cherry cabinets
● Loft bedroom
● Cherry laminate flooring
● Bathroom with shower
● Metal roof
● Cedar wood siding ( stained and finished)
● 200 square feet including loft

Meanwhile, in his monthly personnel report, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced that Samantha Fletcher has resigned as a DCHS teacher, Renee Willoughby has resigned as an educational assistant at DeKalb West School, and Libby McCormick is retiring as librarian at Northside Elementary School.

April 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Commission will meet in regular session by way of a conference call on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on WJLE.

On March 20, 2020, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 16 (“the Order”), which suspends the requirements of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (“TOMA”) to the extent necessary to allow any governing body subject to the requirements of TOMA to meet and conduct essential business by electronic means if the body determines meeting electronically is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Order applies to any state, county, or municipal governing body or any other public body that may be subject to the requirements of TOMA. It allows members of the governing body to participate and vote in public meetings without being physically present to protect public health, safety, and welfare and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is a temporary measure that expires on May 18, 2020, unless further action is taken by the Governor. Except as specifically provided in this new executive order, the public notice provisions, meeting minute provisions, and other requirements of TOMA still apply to meetings of governing bodies being held electronically. If a governing body seeks to conduct electronic meetings in accordance with the Order, it must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the public may access the meeting live via electronic means.

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