Committee Recommends Adding Part Time Security Officer and New Exterior Doors at Courthouse

October 16, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Full time courthouse security officer Mark Milam went to work last week and he may soon be getting some help.

The county budget committee met Tuesday night and voted 5-0 to recommend to the full county commission that a shared part time security officer position be created to fill the gap when Milam takes breaks including for lunch.

According to County Mayor Matt Adcock, a constable will most likely be used for the shared part- time job possibly working from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. five days a week. The cost to the county this fiscal year from November to June is $13,279. For a full year, it would be $20,253.

Milam was hired by the county last month to fill the role of full-time courthouse security officer at $18 per hour based on a 40-hour week.  The position without benefits (this year) is $37,440 and with benefits included (next year) its $49,030 with social security, retirement, health insurance, unemployment, and Medicare. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Neither Constable Milam or the part time officer will be working for the sheriff’s department. Their supervisor will be the county mayor.

The east side entrance to the courthouse near the handicapped ramp on the second floor has been identified by the county to be the only secured entry point. Constable Milam or the part time officer will be posted there with a metal detector. Until more secure exterior doors and locks are acquired, Milam and the part time officer will roam the courthouse.

Meanwhile, the budget committee Tuesday night voted to recommend to the county commission that new secure exterior doors, locks, and signage be purchased for the courthouse based on a quote obtained from County Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker. Funds for the purchase (up to $30,000) would come from the county’s capital projects fund subject to approval by the county commission. Bids would also have to be let for the project.

Reading from a text message to him from Parker, County Mayor Adcock informed the budget committee that to replace 10 doors including for the east, west, and basement side entrances in a light bronze color similar to what is there now and to add a code approved panic device would be $2,500 for each door for a total of $25,000. Signage for all 10 doors depending on the type of lettering would be $100-$150 per door or up to $1,500.

October 15, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Conditional funding for construction of a new elementary school has cleared a hurdle

During a meeting Tuesday night, the county budget committee voted 5-0 to recommend to the full county commission that a 30-year bond resolution be adopted not to exceed $55 million for construction of a new elementary school provided that the four municipalities in the county approve extending their existing sales tax agreements with the county for the life of the bond. The cities have until January 1 to act based on terms of the bonds for the project if issued as early as February.

If the cities extend their sales tax agreements and the county commission approves the budget committee’s recommendation, funds for construction of a new school would be totally supported from the local purpose fund (local option sales taxes) to debt service to cover the projected costs. No property tax dollars would be needed to fund it.

“I would make a motion that we make a recommendation back to the full commission for a 30-year bond issue not to exceed $55 million contingent upon the other cities in the county agreeing to the extension of the sales tax agreement by January 1 because these numbers are based on February 1. This is to be fully funded with existing sales tax proceeds assuming the other cities extend their agreements, and the issuance of bonds would only be for what is needed to cover the projected costs,” said budget committee member Tom Chandler.

Budget committee member Mathias Anderson offered a second to the motion and fellow members Sabrina Farler, Tony (Cully) Culwell, and Chairman Jeff Barnes all voted in favor. Budget committee members Tony Luna and Glynn Merriman were absent.

During a joint meeting with the Board of Education and Director of Schools on October 8, the County Commission and County Mayor heard from Brian Templeton of Upland Design Group, the school board’s architect on plans to build a new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace the existing Smithville Elementary complex. The construction would be on property adjacent to Northside Elementary School.

Templeton conducted a power point presentation showing a rendering of the proposed new school as well as the schematic design and floor plans. The commission had first been shown the plans in a joint meeting with the school board two years ago.

According to Templeton, the plans are exactly the same except for the cost. In September 2022 the projected cost to build this proposed 124,207 square foot facility was $46,199,875. Today, the projected cost is $53,414,825.

Under the sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of the 30-year bond in order to cover the costs without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

Some city leaders have apparently been reluctant to commit to an extension until the county gets serious about new school construction.

October 15, 2024
By:

The 30th Annual DeKalb County Angel Tree Project signups are coming soon. Thursday, November, 7th has been chosen as the application date. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. Application time is from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm at the First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center under the carport.

Applicants must be DeKalb County residents. Children from birth to no older than age 12 by December 25, 2024 are eligible. You must bring photo identification and a bill with the correct current DeKalb County address of the person applying. You must also provide social security cards and birth certificates (Mother’s copy is okay) for all children listed on the application. Guardian paperwork for temporarily placed children is acceptable. Documents are returned to the applicant, only the application is kept. Please make sure you fill out the application as completely and accurately as possible.

If an applicant cannot appear in person, their application can be submitted by someone else as long as all of the required information and documentation is presented. Come prepared with all of the necessary documentation to complete your application between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 7th. This is the only day that applications will be available and accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. For additional information please contact Laura Stone (text only please) at 615-464-7135. Do not contact the church, we are only using their facility. Remember you only have Thursday, November 7th to complete and turn in your application.

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