DeKalb Local Option Sales Tax Collections for January remained strong

February 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s local option sales tax collections for January 2021 eclipsed those for the same month in 2020 according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

In his monthly report on local option sales tax collections, County Mayor Tim Stribling informed the county commission Monday night that DeKalb County brought in $183,986 in January, 2021 compared to $120,455 for January, 2020.

All four cities within DeKalb County also hauled in more local option sales tax revenue as well. The comparisons between the two months for each municipality are as follows :

Smithville: $371,635 ( January, 2021), $329,824 (January 2020)

Alexandria: $32,540 (January, 2021), $29,388 (January 2020)

Dowelltown: $4,859 (January, 2021), $2,180 (January 2020)

Liberty: $9,625 (January, 2021), $6,911 (January 2020)

NET COLLECTIONS (LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX): $602,647 (January 2021), $488,761 (January 2020)

February 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County has experienced increases in property values and sales over the last four years and that will be reflected in the finalized overall property revaluation when the latest reappraisal cycle is completed this spring.

Assessor Shannon Cantrell addresses County Commission about reappraisal from dwayne page on Vimeo.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell informed the county commission that DeKalb County is now in the fifth year of the latest five year reappraisal cycle which means property values will be updated soon.

“As you might know DeKalb County has seen record property sales over the last four years. For example the base rate for an average home in 2016 was $100,500 and it looks like the base rate this year is going to be somewhere around $135,000 which is about a 35% increase. Of course every property is different, whether it be farmland, where it is, or what type of home and we mass those in groups but this example should give you some kind of indication of the increase in appraisals upcoming this year,” said Cantrell.

State law establishes reappraisal for updating and equaling property values for every county in Tennessee for property tax purposes.

In DeKalb County, reappraisal is an on-going process comprised of an on-site review of each parcel of real property over a four year period followed by a finalized revaluation of all such property in the fifth year.

Once property values are finalized this year, they will remain the same until the next five year reappraisal cycle is completed in 2026 regardless of how the market performs.

“In the previous (five year cycle) information was collected in the years, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012 when things (market) were down and a lot of things were not selling good and that made for lower appraisals in 2016 and those are still in place right now but they will soon be changed by property sales that have transpired over the last four years which will be an increase,” said Cantrell.

“In this final year of the reappraisal cycle we are in your home’s worth and market value should be the same. It may have been low these previous four years but once reappraisal is finalized your home should be assessed at market value or as close as we can get it. That’s the equalization part of it,” he said.

However future changes in the market could affect property values.

“For example lets say your home value has gone up 30% and is worth $200,000 and then there is a downturn in the market and your home value drops to $150,000 you will still be paying on that $200,000 value until the next reappraisal in 2026.

Once the five year cycle is completed and the updated property values are finalized, the state will establish a new certified property tax rate for the county which is expected to be below the current rate of $2.12 per $100 of assessed value but would generate essentially the same amount of local revenue to the county.

Should the county commission later decide to increase the property tax rate above the new certified rate, it would first have to conduct a public hearing.

During Monday night’s meeting, the county commission adopted a resolution authorizing a new continuous five year reappraisal cycle from 2021 to 2026.

February 23, 2021
By: Bill Conger

The White Possum Restaurant Owner/Manager Rawlin Vanatta is the kind of guy that steps out in faith. He’s proving that again with a business gamble that could either propel his award-winning business to the next level or destroy the dream that he laid down the foundation for ten years ago.

“Many will say that we are crazy, that what we are doing is impossible,” admits Vanatta. “But the thing is, we’ve been told that before and with faith in God, we believe that the right thing to do is the right thing to do and will be blessed.”

At the end of 2020 Vanatta temporarily shuttered the doors at both the Smithville and Sparta restaurant locations for a major overhaul of his business. Since opening in 2011, Vanatta cooked up delicious dishes, but in recent years he discovered with the help of a close friend that much of his menu wasn’t good for his customers’ health.

“He said things like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol and even many cancers were caused not by genes, as big pharma wants us to think, but instead were caused by the food on their fork, and he could show me the studies that proved it,” Vanatta explained.

“Over the next few years, I slowly realized that almost everything I had thought I knew about health and diet was wrong and worse how many people were needlessly suffering because this information had been kept from them.”

Looking at his newborn son, Strickland, one day Rawlin knew he had to help change the future. No longer could he in good conscience provide the same foods to his customers that he believes is destroying their lives. When White Possum opens again on March 1, the inside décor will reflect the healthy food options that Vanatta will provide to the public.

“Vegan is not the right word. Some people may call us that, but what we are focused on is bringing our community a menu that is both great tasting and healing. The science in total easily points towards a plant-based lifestyle as being the healthiest lifestyle, however, a traditional vegan menu wouldn’t meet the criteria. So we prefer the term plant-based restaurant.”

“The menu will look almost totally different but in a really fun way, kinda like getting a new car, and the new car has all the options. Yeah, there are lots of fond memories in that old car, but no one would choose the old car over the new one. The menu will be like that, a total upgrade.”

“All the recipes will be developed by me, my wife, my family, my team, etc.

It’s funny, so many people when they hear the word “plant based” or “vegan” they believe it’s a sad life of turnip greens, spinach and celery all day,” he said, laughing.

But that’s not the truth at all. We will have some of the best lasagna that you can imagine. We will still have the nachos that so many people loved. (upgraded versions of course) I can’t reveal too many secrets, but believe me, people are really going to be shocked when they are sitting inside the new White Possum and put these foods in their mouth. It’s going to be incredible.”

In the Beginning

Back in 2011, Vanatta was working part-time at a local café and preparing to tie the knot with Jessie Vanatta who longed to be a stay-at-home mother to a big family.

“I was starting to get really nervous because our wedding day was only a month away, and I still hadn’t found another job. I did have one idea, though. It was a long shot but, but in my mind I knew if I did it right, over time it would solve my problem.”

Vanatta gave birth to a new restaurant for Smithville.

“My great grandfather back in the 1920’s ran a business selling moonshine and was doing pretty well at it, but one day while working he saw a White Possum. A lot of people don’t know, but back then when someone saw a white albino possum, it was seen as a sign of change but more specifically a sign of uncommon change. When he saw his white possum, he felt God was confirming to him that it’s time for change —to get out of the moonshine business and to do something else with his life. So, he “stepped out in faith” went all in, and he made that decision on the spot.”

Following in his grandfather’s ideology, Rawlin’s plan for his future encompassed more than providing food for customers.

“For me The White Possum has always been about inspiring long-overdue changes and new beginnings, especially uncommon ones.”

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