County Budget Committee Recommends Funding Director Position for Alexandria Senior Citizens Center

May 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The county is planning to fund a full time director’s position for the Alexandria Senior Citizens Center as it does for the Smithville Senior Center.

During Wednesday night’s meeting, the county budget committee voted 3 to 2 to add the director to the county payroll subject to final approval by the county commission with passage of the 2019-20 budget this summer. The director would be paid $21,291 as a first year employee plus benefits for a total budget impact to the county of $28,051.

Voting for the full-time position were committee Chairman Dennis Slager and members Jeff Barnes and Jerry Adcock. Sabrina Farler and Anita Puckett voted no.

The Smithville Senior Director earns $23,352 a year plus benefits as a level 4 employee on the county’s wage tier scale. The total projected budget for the senior citizens program in Smithville is around $32,000 but the county receives a reimbursement each year from UCDD to help support the program of approximately $14,000 which puts the county’s actual cost at $18,000 per year.

Although the county budgeted $6,000 to help support the Alexandria Center for the 2018-19 fiscal year it provides no money for the director’s salary. Funding for the program in Alexandria currently comes through contributions from the Upper Cumberland Development District and United Way totaling near $10,000 and year-round fundraising activities. Up until January, 2019, the Alexandria Senior Director was paid $7.75 per hour for 24 hours per week with no benefits.

Judy Sandlin, Chairman of the Governing Board for the Alexandria Senior Center, made the formal request of the budget committee in April.

“The demands on this (Alexandria) position have outgrown the customary funding through the UCDD, United Way, and traditional fundraisers. It no longer can be limited to 24 hours per week; the demands extend to 40 hours each week,” said Sandlin.

“In addition to the Alexandria Senior Center being open and serving meals 5 days a week (up from 4 days), more advanced skills and experience have become necessary. The position independently manages the facility, volunteers, finances, and inventory, as well as researches, implements, and develops programs to enhance the health and well-being of the senior citizens in the county. Additionally, knowledge of service networks and the ability to communicate (both in writing and verbally) with clients and sponsors alike takes this well above the minimum wage pay grade,” She said.

Sandlin also provided the committee other “relevant statistics”:

*Attendance (Alexandria Senior Center) has gone from an average in 2017-18 of 20 members per day to 27 per day. This figure is expected to rise steadily in the coming year.

*2016 figures for DeKalb County put the age 60+ population at 22%, with 72% below the poverty line (website DataUSA.io)

*The 94 registered members come from all areas of DeKalb, Liberty, Dowelltown, Temperance Hall, Smithville, etc.

*The City of Alexandria funds the building’s electricity, water, and gas.

*The center relies heavily on volunteers for meal service, facility cleaning, and maintenance.

The Director of the Alexandria Senior Center is Sandy Brown. Pam Redmon is Director of the Smithville Senior Center.

Meanwhile the Juvenile Court’s Youth Service Officer will get a raise in the new budget subject to approval of the county commission. The budget committee voted Wednesday evening to recommend that his pay be increased from his current salary of $34,275 to $36,000 but that is less than the $3,300 increase he requested. The overall cost is partly offset by a $9,000 grant the county receives for the program.

May 23, 2019
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School recognized students in 1st through 7th grades at its annual awards day on Monday, May 20. Falling in line with the school’s PAWS program for positive behavior intervention, the awards were named appropriately. The Leader of the Pack goes to students with the top average in each subject. Making Tracks awards recognized students with the best growth. 4 PAWS Award recognizes an awesome student. The 4 PAWS Award recognizes an awesome student who may not be able to make the honor roll at the time but works hard, may be the best class citizen, class helper or shows improvement.

Here is a list of the winners:

In Crystal Barnes’ 1st grade room, Grady Thomason received the ELA award, Hailey Brown received the Math award, and Abigail Burlingame, Spelling. The Making Tracks award for showing growth went to Aiden Garza. Picking up Special Wags were Brayden Heflin, Art; Hailey Brown, Library; Kyler Martel, Music; Rebecca Brown, Computer; and Abigail Burlingame, Guidance.

In Susan West’s 1st grade room: Bentley Martin, ELA; Lilian Dillard, ELA; Lucas Nokes, Math; Brylee Key, Math; Levi Reynolds, Writing; Simon Antoniak, Spelling; Making Tracks, Allivia Deyoung and Jaxson Keenan. Receiving Special Wags were Bryce Harvey, Art; Brylee Key, Library; Abegayle Howard, Music; Lillian Dillard, Computer; Kayleigh Ramirez, Guidance.

In Whitney Brejle’s 2nd grade room: Jenna Burlingame, ELA; Elliot Dillard, ELA; Kaden Mullinax and Jacob Johnson, Math; Shianna Townsend and Aydin Reed, Writing; Collin Donnell and Isaac Scott, Spelling; Making Tracks: Spencer Gregory and Mason Good, Math; Katelyn Fry and Allie Pedigo, ELA. Special Wags went to Makenna Lomas, Guidance; Jacob Johnson, Computer; Shianna Townsend, Music; Isaac Scott, Library; Jenna Burlingame, Art; Collin Donnell, PE-Forever team and Mason Good, PE-Forever team. The 4 PAWS Award went to Makenna Lomas.

In Sheila McMillen’s 2nd grade room: Mia Hall, ELA and Spelling; Gabriel Blair, ELA and Writing; Kaylee Womack, Math & Writing; Zander Simpson, Math; Logan Winfree, Spelling; Bella Gonzalez, Writing. Making Tracks went to Slade Bennett, Maddux Pyburn, and Jonah Maynard, ELA; Jaretzy Aguilar, Savanna Muncey, and Riley Gibbs, Math. Special Wags were handed out to Riley Gibbs for Art, Library, PE-Forever Team; Bella Gonzalez, Music , PE Sack Race and 30 Yard Dash; Grant Brown, Computer; Savanna Muncey, Guidance; Kaylee Womack, PE-Forever Team and Maddux Pyburn, PE-Sack Race. The 4 PAWS Award went to Dayton Heflin and Grant Brown.

In Jenny Cantrell’s 2nd grade room: JoElle Cook and Levi Randolph, ELA; Bane Averitte, Josh Floyd, and Javan Hefflin, Math; Jake Nokes and Ava Duncan, Writing; Kalei Mitchell and Adonis Cooprider, Spelling. Making Tracks were given to Truitt Stutts and Zoe Floyd, ELA; Kate Pistol and Declan Moss, Math. Special Wags went to Kate Pistol, Guidance, Zoe Floyd, Computer, Josh Floyd, Music, Bane Averitte, Library & PE-Pacer Test; Levi Cripps, PE-Pacer Test, Truitt Stutts, PE-Forever Team and 30 Yard Dash; Joelle Cool, Art. Levi Cripps received the 4 PAWS Award.

In Julie Hale’s 3rd grade class: Zoey Golson, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies and Spelling; Kyleigh Cole, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling; Fiona Street, ELA and Science; Timothy Goss, Math & Science; and Max Hendrixson, Social Studies. Riley Stout picked up the Making Tracks award while Special Wags went to Riley Stout, Art and Guidance; Fiona Street, Library; Bella Ramirez, Music; Timothy Goss, Computer, PE-Forever Team, Max Hendrixson and Mia Gibbs, PE-Forever Team. Zoey Golson was on the A/B Honor Roll, and the 4 PAWS Award went to Riley Stout.

In Rachel Desimone’s 3rd grade class: Zachary Cooprider, Spelling; Autumn Crook and Sophie Desimone—ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling; Jordyn Agee—ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies; Zoey Skeen, ELA, Math, and Social Studies; Porter Hancock—ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling, William Johnson, Science, and Jackson Latimore, Spelling. He also won the Making Tracks award. Special Wags went to Zoey Skeen, Guidance; Jakob Sandlin, Computer; Jazmine Carvareo, Music, Zachary Cooprider, Library; Zoe Webster, Art; Jackson Lattimore, PE-Sack Race and Broad Jump; William Johnson and Sophie Desimone, PE-30 Yard Dash; Jordyn Agee, PE-Broad Jump, Pacer Test, and Forever Team. Making the Honor Roll A’s: Jordyn Agee, Autumn Crook, Sophie Desimone, and Porter Hancock; A/B Honor Roll: William Johnson, Lucas Nuggent, Lucy Moore, and Zoey Skee. . The 4 PAWS Award went to Porter Hancock.

In Ashlee Thomason’s 3rd grass class: Averly Moss, Drew Cook, and Leyton Scarbrough, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling; Peyton Blair, ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies; Akacia Walker, ELA, and Lance Martin, Math and Social Studies. Adin Hernandez won the Making Tracks award. Special Wags went to Kawasi Troyer, Art; Averly Moss, Library; Ava Melton, Music; Peyton Blair, Computer, Guidance, PE-Sack Race; Lane Hale, PE-Pacer Test; Kayden McElhaney, PE-Forever Team. Named to the A Honor Roll were Peyton Blair, Drew Cook, and Averly Moss; A/B Honor Roll: Lane Hale, Lance Martin, Jaiden Tramel, and Leyton Scarbrough. The 4 PAWS Award went to Camille Barton.

In Cathleen Humphrey’s 4th grade class: Ethan Brown, ELA, Science and Social Studies; Kenadee Prichard, ELA; Ben Driver and Jesse Foutch, Math; Ben Barton, Science; Olivia George, Social Studies; Charlotte Cripps, Spelling. Making Tracks award went to Preslee Merriman while Special Wags were awarded to Chloe Boyd, Art; Ethan Brown, Library and PE-Broad Jump; Alexi Bennett, Music; Hunter Ballew, Computer and PE-Forever Team; Autumn McElhaney, PE-Forever Team; Emily Fry and Kaylee Redmon, PE-Pacer Test; Seth Young, Guidance, Ben Driver, PE-30 Yard Dash & Pacer Test; Charlotte Cripps, PE-30 Yard Dash, Broad Jump, and Pacer Test. Ethan Brown made it to the A Honor Roll while A/B Honor Roll recipients were Hunter Ballew, Ben Driver, Elliott Nelson, Ben Barton, Jesse Foutch, Kenadee Prichard, Mary Jane Scott, Olivia George, Chase Young, and Victoria Harn.

The 4 PAWS Award went to Autumn McElhaney.

In Cynthia Snow’s 4th grade class: Jennifer Fortune, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies; Hannah Brown, ELA, Math, and Science; Eva Aimino, Social Studies, and Miah Johnson, Spelling. Emeri Barrett picked up the Making Tracks award. Special Wags were given to Kason Nichols, Guidance; Eva Aimino, Computer, Kaylee Kent, Music and PE-Pacer Test; Taytum Reeder, PE-Sack Race and Forever Team; Jennifer Fortune, Library, Debra Busey, Art; Emeri Barrett, PE-Forever Team and Sack Race; Ben Driver, PE-30 Yard Dash and Pacer Test; Wyatt Young and Raegan Murphy, PE-Forever Team. Named to the A Honor Roll were Eva Aimino, Emeri Barrett, Hannah, Brown, and Jennifer Fortune; A/B Honor Roll: Miah Johnson, Raegan Murphy, Kaylee Kent, and Izzy Prichard. Prichard also won the 4 PAWS Award.

In Jeanna Caplinger’s 5th grade class: Autumn Dies, ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies; Landon Roehner, ELA, Math, and Social Studies; Xavier Floyd, Math, Science and Social Studies; Abby Crook, Math and Caleb Tipton, Science. The Making Tracks award went to Ethan Reynolds. Special Wags were presented to Hudson Moss, Guidance; Cole Bain, Computer; Madelin Schwenke, Music and PE-Forever Team; Xavier Floyd, Library and PE-Broad Jump; Nick Maddux, PE-Pacer Test and Abby Crook, Art. Autumn Dies and Landon Roehner were named to the A Honor Roll while Abby Crook, Xavier Floyd, Hudson Moss, and Caleb Tipton were in the A/B Honor Roll. The 4 PAWS Award went to Abby Crook.

In Nadina Martel’s 5th grade class: Caitlin Shoemake, ELA and Science; Izzy Hendrixson, ELA and Math; Cameron Stanley, ELA, Math, and Social Studies; Conner Talley, Math, Social Studies and Science. Math and Making Tracks award went to Jonathan Keith. Presented with Special Wags were Caitlin Shoemake Art and Library; Darci Blair, Music and PE-Forever Team; Cameron Stanley, Computer; Izzy Hendrixson, Guidance and PE-Sack Race; Nick Murphy, PE-Sack Race, 30 Yard Dash, and Forever Team; Chaylea Lunsford, PE-30 Yard Dash, Broad Jump, and Pacer Test; Brennan Winfree and Jonathan Keith, PE-Forever Team. Named to the A/B Honor Roll: Izzy Hendrixson, Connor Talley, Caitlin Shoemake, Jonathan Keith, Cameron Stanley, and Kolby Slager. The 4 PAWS Award went to Chaylea Lunsford.

In the combined 6th grade classes of Jessica Antoniak and Tammy Payne: Kenson Moss and Caroline Crook, ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math; Daniel Stiffler, ELA; Emily Young and Thomas Damron, ELA, Social Studies, Science and Math; Bradley Pelham, Social Studies; Jordyn Turbeville, Math and Science; Ava Cantrell, Science. Making Tracks award went to Sadie Strawser and Bryson Stanley. Special Wags award was presented to Allie Overstreet, Guidance; Bradley Pelham, Computer; Ava Cantrell, Music; Lauren Fry, Library and PE-Forever Team; Delia Quintero, Art and PE-Broad Jump; Caleb Finocchiaro, PE-Sack Race; Tyler Jackson, PE-30 Yard Dash and Pacer Test; Christian Hale, PE-Broad Jump; Thomas Damron, PE-Forever Team; Danny VanDyne, Library; Bryna Pelham, Guidance and PE-30 Yard Dash; Evan Prichard, Computer; Jourdyn Dalton, Music and PE-Forever Team; Alexis Haugh, Art; Emily Younger, PE-Sack Race and Pacer Test; Caroline Crook, PE-Forever Team. A Honor Roll: Thomas Damron, Kenson Moss, Caroline Crook and Emily Younger; A/B Honor Roll: Cheyenne Young, Ava Cantrell, Daniel Stiffler, Chloe Dies, Wesley Kent, Bradley Pelham, Evan Prichard, Hailey Redmon, and Jordyn Turbeville. The 4 PAWS Awards went to Haley Murphy and Christian Hale.

In the combined 7th grade classes of Martha Damron and Vicki Wilson: Zoi Hale and Jackson Vantrease, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies; Blair Gipe, ELA, Math, Science; Jaxon Humphrey, Math; Tess Barton, ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies; Alex Antoniak, ELA, Science and Social Studies; Trey Beilfuss and Ella Hendrixson, Social Studies. Jaylynn Nichols and Emily Satterfield received the Making Tracks award. Special Wags went to Angelina Davenport, Art and PE-Forever Team; Serenity Patterson, Library; Emily Satterfield, Music; Austin Nichols, Computer; Marshall Farler, Guidance; Wil Farris, PE-Sack Race and Forever Team; Zoi Hale, PE-Sack Race, 30 Yard Dash, Broad Jump, and Forever Team; Carson Donnell, PE-30 Yard Dash and Broad Jump; Weslie McCowen, PE-Forever Team and Pacer Test; Gavin Cooper, PE-Forever Team; Hannah Redmon, Music and PE-Forever Team; Ella Hendrixson, PE-Pacer Test; Shelby Starnes, Art; Jalynn Nichols, Library; Xavier Parker, Computer; and Chris Carroll, Guidance. Named to the A Honor Roll: Alex Antoniak, Jackson Vantrease, Zoi Hale, Blair Gipe, Ella Hendrixson, Jaxon Humphrey, and Tess Barton; A/B Honor Roll: Carson Donnell, Melanie Ortiz, Gavin Cooper, Hannah Redmon, Marshall Farler, Serenity Patterson, Alyssa Crook, Karson Smallwood, Riley Fuson, Kolton Slager, Wil Farris, Shawna Kempf, Trey Beilfuss, and Xavier Parker. The 4 PAWS Awards went to Chris Carroll and Carson Donnell.

7th grader Riley Fuson earned the 2018-19 DWS Junior Beta Service award for the year when he volunteered more than 60 hours. Under the leadership of sponsor Jessica Antoniak, students earned a total of 1252 service hours this year. Students who volunteered at least 10 service hours between June 2018 and May 2019 were presented with a certificate. In the 6th grade students recognized were Grant Buterbaugh 11 hours 30 minutes, Thomas Damron 26 hours 15 minutes, Caroline Crook 18 hours, Chloe Dies 16 hours 30 minutes, Wesley Kent 13 hours 30 minutes, Kenson Moss 29 hours, Bradley Pelham 13 hours 15 minutes, Evan Prichard 22 hours 15 minutes, Jordyn Turbeville 14 hours 30 minutes, and Emily Young 24 hours 15 minutes. In the 7th grade students recognized were Alex Antoniak 56 hours 30 minutes, Tess Barton 15 hours 30 minutes, Trey Beilfuss 10 hours, Brayden Carter 33 hours 15 minutes, Alyssa Crook 51 hours 15 minutes, Marshall Farler 21 hours 45 minutes, Presley Finocchiaro 19 hours 15 minutes, Blair Gipe 13 hours 45 minutes, Zoi Hale 44 hours 15 minutes, Brynn Harvey 9 hours 45 minutes, Ella Hendrixson 28 hours 15 minutes, Jaxon Humphrey 20 hours, Shauna Kempf 40 hours 30 minutes, Melanie Ortiz 10 hours, Kayleigh Overstreet 33 hours 15 minutes, Xavier Parker 19 hours, Hannah Redmon 21 hours, Maressa Rose 10 hours, Kolton Slager 13 hours 30 minutes, Karson Smallwood 13 hours 30 minutes, and Jackson Vantrease 17 hours 15 minutes.

May 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The county needs more revenue to operate over the next year and a property tax increase may be coming.

Except for action on the road department budget and a property tax rate recommendation for the 2019-20 fiscal year, the county budget committee has completed its work in preparing a spending plan for the county commission to consider this summer.

Although the budget committee has proposed some line item transfers and cuts along with new revenue from fee increases compared to the current year, new spending has also been added to the new budget

During Wednesday night’s meeting, the county’s financial advisor Steve Bates updated the committee on the county’s projected financial condition over the next year. In the general fund, the county is operating under a budget of $9,215,870 this year. That is projected to increase in the 2019-20 budget year by $608,361 to $9,830,231.

Without a tax hike, Bates said the county general fund is expected to be in the red by $1,681,933 as of June 30, 2020 if spending goes according to the proposed budget. To balance the budget, the county would have to pull the $1.6 million from the fund balance (cash reserves)

In order to keep the county from digging into its fund balance (cash reserves) to operate and to meet the state required local Basic Education Program (BEP) match for schools, Bates said an overall property tax hike of 36 cents is needed (32 cents more for county general and 4 cents more for schools). The property tax rate is currently $1.83 per $100 of assessed value. If increased by 36 cents, the rate would go to $2.19 per $100 of assessed value.

Bates also offered the committee another option, increasing the overall tax rate by 29 cents (25 cents more for the general fund and an additional 4 cents for schools) which would put the tax rate at $2.12 per $100 of assessed value. Even under that option, the county general fund is projected to run in the red by $473,132 as of June 30, 2020 if all budgeted funding is spent.

According to Bates, the county could get by on an overall 29 cent tax increase for a few years but it would have to keep a close watch on spending.

The budget committee has not yet signaled what it will recommend to the county commission on a proposed tax rate for 2019-20 but is expected to weigh all options and make a decision at the next meeting on Wednesday, May 29.

In the meantime, Bates plans to put down on paper three tax rate proposals for the committee to consider.

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