County Budget Committee Begins Work

May 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Budget Committee of the County Commission held its first meeting Thursday night to begin making preparations for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The committee is now one member short. County Mayor Tim Stribling, who presided over the meeting Thursday night, announced that Dennis Slager has resigned as chairman and member of the budget committee. Slager informed Stribling by email. Slager will continue his service as a member of the county commission. Stribling has not yet named a replacement. Other members of the committee are Jeff Barnes, Sabrina Farler, Anita Puckett, and Jerry Adcock. Puckett was absent Thursday night.

During the meeting, Sheriff Patrick Ray, Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker, and DeKalb 911 Director Brad Mullinax presented their budget requests while the committee reviewed proposed budgets submitted by the DeKalb County Election Commission, County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Assessor of Property, Library and Senior Citizen Center Directors, Clerk and Master, DeKalb Health Department, DeKalb Prevention Coalition, and DeKalb UT Extension Service. Other than regular salary tier jumps on the county’s wage scale for employees and state pay raises for county officials, most budget proposals presented Thursday night included no major increases in expenditures.

Sheriff Ray said his budget includes funds for GPS units in patrol cars, increased inmate health care costs as proposed by the provider Advanced Correctional Healthcare, five new patrol cars (capital projects fund), and four correctional officers. Earlier this year Sheriff Ray offered a new pay plan for his staff to help save the county money but no action was taken. Sheriff Ray said he would like to meet with the committee again to discuss his proposal unless the county decides to freeze employee wages in 2020-21 due to a sluggish economy brought on by COVID-19. Such a freeze has not been discussed by the committee.

Due to increased call volume over the last 15 years, the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (E-911) is looking to hire more dispatchers and is seeking extra help from the City of Smithville and DeKalb County governments.

During a budget work session Tuesday night, 911 Director Mullinax met with the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen at city hall to ask that the city increase its annual contribution by $45,000.

Mullinax made a similar request of the county budget committee Thursday night.

The DCECD currently employs nine dispatchers, two per shift. Plans are to add to four more dispatchers in order to have three per shift. In order to do that the city and county would need to each increase their contribution while the DCECD would fund the rest.

Mullinax said call volume within the last 15 years has almost doubled and more dispatchers would better serve the public.

County Mayor Stribling informed the committee that based on assessments, one cent of the property tax rate generates $50, 650 or $47,551 for budgetary purposes based on a projected 94% collection rate. DeKalb County will undergo reappraisal next year but based on the most recent assessments prices of land sales are exceeding values resulting in the sales ratio going from 0.92 to 0.81 according to Stribling.

The budget committee’s next meeting will be Wednesday, May 20 at 5 p.m. in the courthouse to hear from county fire chief Donny Green, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and EMS director Hoyte Hale.

May 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A WJLE Radiothon to raise money for the DCHS Class of 2020 Project Graduation will be Friday, June 5th from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

The radiothon had originally been scheduled for March  27 but was postponed due to COVID-19.

High school seniors and parents on the Project Graduation committee will be answering phones, taking pledges during the drive. Any member of the Class of 2020 is urged to stop by the station to make an appearance on the radiothon to talk about their school activities and future plans.

Last year’s event raised $8,100 easily surpassing the goal of $5,000.

Project Graduation is an all night drug-free, alcohol-free graduation party for members of the DCHS Class of 2020 committed to having a safe, wholesome, yet entertaining celebration together for the last time as a class. The event begins following the graduation ceremony which is expected to be held either on June 19 or July 17.

Call 615-597-4265 during the Radiothon to make your pledge from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Friday, June 5th. Listen LIVE on FM 101.7/AM 1480 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

May 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The filing deadline for Business Tax returns originally due April 15  is now  June 15, 2020.

The Business Tax is a tax on gross receipts and applies to most businesses that sell goods or services.

“Our office has already assisted a number of business tax filers to date. However; we understand there are many more waiting for assistance,” said County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss. “Previously, all other years after May 15 you would be assessed penalty and interest on late filing for business tax renewals. However; this year each business account has been granted another month before being assessed penalty and interest. Please feel free to contact our office for any assistance with your sales and use filing and payment process or filing your annual Business tax and payment process,” said Poss.

“Individuals with vehicle renewals expiring in the month of May normally prior to or on the day of May 31 also have some grace time. Motor vehicle registration renewals due in May have been extended to June 15, 2020. Governor Bill Lee extended the deadline for obtaining these renewals through Executive Order No. 36,” Poss continued.

“For assistance with services within our office we encourage you to call to hear the options you have depending on the service you are needing. Our phone number is 615-597-5177,” said Poss.

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