DeKalb Voters Soundly Reject both Wheel Tax and Bond Referendums

November 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County voters soundly defeated two referendums on the ballot in Tuesday’s election regarding a proposed $50 wheel tax and the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $65 million for a judicial center/jail.

On the wheel tax question, the total vote was 1,477 in favor (16.29%) and 7,591 against (83.71%). The wheel tax was rejected by a majority of voters in all twelve precincts as well as in the absentee/early voting numbers.

The referendum on the issuance of bonds failed with 1,314 in favor (14.99%) and 7,451 against (85.01%). Again, a majority of voters in all 12 precincts were opposed along with the absentee/early voting numbers.

Had it been approved, the revenue raised from the wheel tax would have offset somewhat the 51-cent tax increase for debt service (in support of the judicial center/jail) and brought the property tax hike for debt service next year (2025-26) down from 51 cents to 33 cents.

County Mayor Matt Adcock told WJLE Tuesday night after the results were announced that the jail committee of the county commission will convene Thursday night, November 7 at 6 p.m. in the history room of the county complex to discuss options going forward in addressing issues with the jail while maintaining a plan of action to keep the jail certified.

“Now that we know the results and what the people want we are going back to the drawing board. We have already anticipated needing another meeting and we have scheduled that on Thursday night. Deputy Director Bob Bass from the Tennessee Corrections Institute will be there to guide us as we try to come up with a new set of plans or something that could still work for DeKalb County. I know there were several other options that were on the table before going with a 190-bed justice center. Maybe we can step back and look at that and if there are any new ideas a commissioner brings up we could look at that also so we will be discussing that in this meeting,” said County Mayor Adcock.

For months, DeKalb County has been under a plan of action with TCI to keep the jail certified as it works toward a solution with some type of building program. In August, 2023, TCI informed Sheriff Patrick Ray that the number of state certifiable beds at the jail was being reduced from 102 to 52. Since then, Sheriff Ray has been housing inmates in other jails which has become costly to the county.

In June the county commission adopted a resolution for the issuance of bonds not to exceed $65 million for construction of a 190-bed judicial center/jail although it did not settle on a proposed location for such construction.

Following passage of the bond resolution, a successful petition drive was organized under the name DeKalb Citizens for Responsible Taxation forcing a public referendum.

Dennis Stanley, treasurer for DCRT, issued a statement after the vote on Tuesday.

“We want to thank the voters for expressing their opinions on the General Obligation Bond for a Justice Center and Jail. You let your voices be heard loud and clear and your participation was vital,” said Stanley.

“While we hope your decision resonates with the county commission, the battle isn’t over and it remains imperative you continue to attend government meetings, continue to voice your thoughts to your county commissioners, and keep a close eye on the actions of the commission”.

“Tennessee law allows voters to force general obligation bonds to a referendum. You did that. As a result, the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) should not punish the DeKalb County Government for its citizens following a state law. Instead, TCI should give the county government a reasonable extension to come up with a new plan to solve jail deficiencies. And remember, there is a difference between solving the jail problem and building a justice center. TCI does not require a justice center it only requires a jail meet certain standards. If TCI wants to take the step of de-certifying our county jail, that does not mean DeKalb County has to build a justice center,” said Stanley.

“We are prepared to continue this fight, if necessary, for fair taxation and accountable spending”.

“Again, we ask you to help us keep up the fight and maintain open dialogue with your county leaders,” added Stanley.

November 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A local church has put an estate donation of $25,000 to good use.

Larry Steffee, pastor of the Center Hill Brethren in Christ Church on Miller Road, said the congregation will have a dedication service Sunday, November 10 starting at 11 a.m. to commemorate recent renovations to the church building thanks to an estate gift from the late Bobbye Jean Page Thomas.

“We started the church 25 years ago and earlier this year we were contacted by Jan Thomas who said that her mother wanted to give us a gift from her estate. Mrs. Bobbye Jean Page Thomas passed away in 2023. She (Jan) got it all worked out and sent us a check in the mail for $25,000,” said Steffee.

The dedication service will be much like a homecoming, and everyone is invited to join in the celebration including anyone who has ever been part of the church over its 25-year history. Local ventriloquist David Turner and Friends will be the featured guest.

“We’ll have a dedication service Sunday, November 10 and the lady (Jan Thomas) whose mother (Bobbye Jean) gave us the gift will attend. She grew up in the Brethren in Christ Church as a child but later started attending a different church. She has lived in different areas of the United States as well. (Bobbye Jean) gave similar gifts to other churches as well where they had attended over the years,” said Steffee.

Money from the estate donation went into fixing up the church building.

“We had a problem with one end of the building with a leak that came under the wall when it would rain hard from the west so we decided put all new siding on the outside of the building to take care of that,” said Steffee. “We put board and batten which is a vinyl vertical siding all around the church and we eliminated an entrance door and window in the process that we didn’t need. We had some new vinyl and metal put on the steeple which a member had made several years ago. We repainted the foyer and worship areas and put in all new flooring in that area. We also put new LED lights in the worship area and did some other miscellaneous things. They went over the metal roof and changed out all the screws so we wouldn’t have trouble with leaks or wind damage in the future,” he said.

Again, Steffee invites the community to attend this special dedication service Sunday, November 10 at 11 a.m. at the Center Hill Brethren in Christ Church on Miller Road.

November 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Election Day has arrived!

The polls are open at all 12 precincts in DeKalb County through 7 p.m. tonight. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7 p.m.

Sample Ballot

On the ballot today is the Presidential election as well as races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (District 6), Tennessee Senate (District 16), and Tennessee House of Representatives (District 40).

In DeKalb County, two referendums are on the ballot regarding a $50 wheel tax and the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $65 million for a judicial center and jail.

President and Vice President of the United States
•Donald J. Trump for President and JD Vance for Vice President (Republican)
•Kamala D. Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President (Democratic)
•Jay J Bowman for President and De D Bowman for Vice President (Independent)
•Claudia De la Cruz for President and Karina Garcia for Vice President (Independent)
•Rachele Fruit for President and Dennis Richter for Vice President (Independent)
•Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for President and Nicole Shanahan for Vice President (Independent)
•Jill Stein for President and Samson LeBeau Kpadenou for Vice President (Independent)

United States Senate
•Marsha Blackburn (Republican)
• Gloria Johnson (Democratic)
• Tharon Chandler (Independent)
• Pamela Jeanine “P.” Moses (Independent)
• Hastina Robinson (Independent)

United States House of Representatives District 6
• John Rose (Republican)
• Lore Bergman (Democratic)

Tennessee Senate District 16
• Janice Bowling (Republican)
• Wayne Steele (Democratic)
• Scott Bean (Independent)

Tennessee House of Representatives District 40
• Michael Hale (Republican)
• Daniel T. Hawthorne (Democratic)

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