Should Smithville’s Beer Ordinance be Updated to Better Benefit Downtown Businesses? (View Video Here)

June 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Should the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen update the city’s beer ordinance to make it easier for businesses including eateries in the downtown business district to sell the beverage?

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, three people addressed the mayor and aldermen to make this request.

Local businessman Tony Luna, who has businesses at 102 and 106 West Main Street, said the existing beer ordinance is an impediment to economic growth and its unfair because of the distance requirement for businesses to obtain a beer permit.

Under the ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.

Currently, two businesses downtown have permits to sell beer but one of them got their permit through the state for the sale of high gravity beer.

“I stand before you to shed light on an issue that affects our community, our businesses, and our future. It’s a matter that has lingered for far too long-an outdated beer law in downtown Smithville, mainly on the three most popular downtown streets,” said Luna.

“Picture this: You step out of our historic courthouse, and only 170 paces to the west, you can obtain a beer license. And a few fewer steps to the east, and there it is again-a beer license. But what about the streets in between? Why are they left out of this opportunity,” Luna asks.

“It’s not a matter of mere convenience; it’s a matter of fairness. Our local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring restaurateurs deserve equal access to economic growth. The current system creates an uneven playing field-one where some strive while others struggle to keep up,” Luna continued.

“As we all know, Smithville and Center Hill Lake, is more than just a dot on the map. It’s a hidden gem-our charming streets, friendly faces, and warm hospitality draw visitors from all corners of Tennessee and beyond. We are a tourist-destination waiting to bloom,” explained Luna.

“Imagine the possibilities: boutique breweries, cozy pubs, and vibrant eateries lining our streets. Picture tourists enjoying local craft beers, sharing stories, and creating memories. Our community has the potential to become a hub for food experiences, live music, and cultural exchange”.

“Here’s the irony: While the state of Tennessee allows beer licenses, our city boundaries restrict them. Its time to bridge this gap. Let’s harmonize our local laws with the broader vision of progress, We owe it to our citizens, our visitors, and our future generations”

“Its about economic growth: By reforming this outdated law, we open doors for new businesses. Image revitalized storefronts, bustling sidewalks, and a thriving local economy. Our entrepreneurs deserve a chance to flourish,” said Luna

“Its about job creation: More businesses mean more jobs. From brewers to servers, from chefs to musicians-we can create employment opportunities that sustain families and strengthen our community fabric”.

“A vibrant downtown isn’t just about commerce; its about culture. Its about fostering creativity and providing spaces where everyone feels welcome”.

“Its about community pride: When we see our town thrive, we feel a sense of pride. Its not just about beer; its about building a legacy-a Smithville that future generations will cherish”.

“In closing, I leave you with this: Our beer laws are outdated. I have no intention of opening a pub or restaurant. I am here as a business owner that can see the missing link that other small towns are doing, and we are missing out on tax dollars that we need. I am vested in the town and county and would love to see a town where every street, every corner, and every business thrives,” said Luna.

Ken Fennell and his wife Erin are owners of the Refined Boutique and the 105 West Main building downtown. Mr. Fennell addressed the mayor and aldermen further making the case for a change in the city’s beer ordinance.

“Respectfully we ask for consideration of removing the beer ordinance. The reason is business growth for everybody and prospering Smithville,” said Fennell. “

“I did a lot of research online reading articles and there are three common ingredients that make up a successful small town business district. They fall into three things. One is a commitment and investment by the private groups that are doing these businesses as well as the public, which is you, the chamber, and the city. We get tons of support from the chamber. What we are asking from you is not financial support but just merely removing the hurdles and the boundaries that prohibit us from being better and growing,” explained Fennell.

“The second ingredient is the hours of operation. Its hard for us as business owners to justify opening every hour every day or even some months, when frankly its dead downtown which leads into the third ingredient-a variety of establishments. Small downtowns cannot thrive without a variety of establishments. Retail cannot stand alone. Restaurants without beverage options cannot stand alone,” said Fennell.

“The National Restaurant Association says 7 in 10 customers say they are likely to choose a restaurant based on the availability of beer, wine, or cocktails. The margins of those items are far greater than food itself”.

“This past Saturday at three o’clock I dropped a couple of things off at our store and then left. Downtown at that time was dead. Nobody was there. Down the road Twisted Oaks was standing room only. You couldn’t get another car in the parking lot. I think you find the correlation there with the food and beverage and the options for entertainment outside listening to music. We need that,” said Fennell.

“In closing, Time Magazine had an article that talked about how buying local boosts the economy. It equates money in the economy and blood in the body as similar entities. When money flows, blood flows and the body does well. When money flows fast, the body does even better. When the dollars stay local and when the money is spent here, and that waitress or waiter buys gas or goes to the local Food Lion, it stays in the local tax base,” added Fennell.

The mayor and aldermen also heard from local resident Gary Booth.

“I don’t own any businesses downtown and I don’t drink beer, but I want to make it clear that I stand in support of the two people here (Luna and Fennell) who were talking about relaxing and or otherwise adjusting the rules just to create more options downtown. I would really like to see more opportunities for the city to get more money in terms of taxes for the city to grow and to give residents more reason to come downtown. I do stand in support of that even though I won’t be having a beer,” said Booth.

Mayor Josh Miller explained that any change in the beer ordinance would require passage of an ordinance on two separate readings and a public hearing. Discussions prior to such a move would most likely have to take place during city council workshops. The aldermen took no action Monday night.

June 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Property tax rates for City of Smithville landowners will not be going up this year, but water and sewer rates will be raised by 4% in order to keep utility revenues ahead of expenses, per state requirement.

During the regular monthly meeting Monday night, the Mayor and Aldermen adopted on second and final reading a budget ordinance for the 2024-25 fiscal year. A public hearing was held prior to passage but there were no public comments on the budget.

The city property tax rate is 0.7523 cents per $100 of assessed value and it is expected to generate $1,360,000 in revenue which is about the same as the actual property tax collections of $1,360,762 in the year 2022-23.

The new rates for city water customers will be $8.26 per thousand gallons of usage (up from the current rate of $7.94 per thousand). Rates for customers outside the city limits will be $12.38 per thousand (up from the current rate of $11.90 per thousand. City sewer customers will pay $7.69 per thousand (up from the current rate of $7.39 per thousand).

The new budget includes a 3% across the board pay raise for city employees, the creation of a new part time city codes/ordinance enforcement officer position, and funding for a few capital outlay expenditures.

The city is opting out of its current Nationwide retirement offering and joining the state’s 457B plan hoping to improve retirement benefits for employees who participate. With the change, the city’s local match for those who enroll will be 5%, up from the 3% match under the Nationwide plan.

The largest single expenditure planned (being funded through a budget amendment in the current year 2023-24) is for refurbished radios including portables, mobiles, and repeaters to upgrade the communications system for the police department and mobiles and repeaters for the fire department. The total cost for these refurbished (less expensive than new) radios comes to $273,307 which is in addition to the $115,000 allocated in January for new fire department portables. According to the mayor and aldermen, the city has little choice but to make the investment due to changes in technology which will soon make their current radios obsolete and unusable. The city will use funds from the general fund surplus to pay for all the radios.

The new budget also includes the following in new spending:

*The addition of a part time codes enforcement officer (budgeted salary $30,000 per year)

CAPITAL OUTLAY:

* Public Works: Purchase of F550 with bed crew cab style dump truck to replace a 2002 F350 model.-$85,000 (funded 50% or $42,500 by the general fund and 50% or $42,500 by the water & sewer budget)

*Public Works: Purchase of F-150 pickup truck-$46,000 (funded 50% or $23,000 by the general fund and 50% or $23,000 by the water and sewer budget)

*Public Works: Purchase of (2) ZTRAK lawn mowers-$24,000

*Public Works: AC Machine-$6,600 (new means of substituting refrigerants in the A/C system of city owned vehicles)

*Purchase Fire Hydrants: $40,000

*Police Department: Purchase of Dell Touch Screen Computers for patrol cars-$15,000

*Financial Administration: G-5 Software Upgrade-$55,200 (funded 50% or $27,600 by the general fund and 50% or $27,600 by the water and sewer budget)

*Street paving -$100,000
*Airport: Grounds Equipment Grant-$130,000

TOTAL GENERAL FUND CAPITAL OUTLAY: $408,700

WATER AND SEWER FUND PROJECTS:
*Fixed Asset additions: Sewer rehab project grants-$2,100,000

The General Fund Debt Service for the police department building is projected to be $162,550 for the year including $100,000 in principal payments and $62,550 in interest on long-term debt.

June 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Road Supervisor Danny Hale has announced that his department will today (Tuesday) start a repaving project on Holmes Creek Road from Cooper Lane to Allen’s Ferry Road on the golf course side.

The project is expected to take up to two weeks to complete and there will be intermittent road closures but at least one lane of travel will be open most of the time.

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