New Smithville Budget Up for First Reading Passage Monday Night

May 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Funding for construction of a new police department building and the creation of another paid firefighter position are among the extras included in the new 2020-21 fiscal year budget up for passage on first reading Monday night, June 1 by the Smithville Board of Aldermen.

The meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. at city hall.

After a 25 cent property tax increase a year ago, the city now has ample funds in the general budget to operate for the next year and arguably for years to come. The city ended the fiscal year in June 2019 at $38,235 in the red. By the close of the 2020 fiscal year on June 30, the city is projected to finish in the black by $413,141 and by almost that much again in June 2021.

The water and sewer fund is a different story.

Although city water and sewer rates were last increased in 2017 the city is about to finish its second year operating in the red which may force the mayor and aldermen to take another look at rates again next year (2021-22) .

According to the budget, the city’s water and sewer fund finished in the hole by $72,748 in 2019 and is projected to be in the red by $162,371 come June 30, 2020. Next year the problem is expected to be even worse finishing at a deficit of $246,821 But those numbers are somewhat deceiving in that revenues are projected to actually exceed cash expenditures next year by more than $548,000 not counting depreciation. However the state requires a utility to account for depreciation even though it is a non cash expense. When the city’s water and sewer depreciation expense totaling $795,000 is figured into the equation, the department is then expected to show a loss of $246,821.

Under state law, if a utility continues to operate at a loss for more than two years and doesn’t address it, the state has the authority to force rate increases to make it solvent. The mayor and aldermen may soon commission a rate analysis to essentially give the basis for a plan of action to address the concern should the state’s water and wastewater financing board become involved.

The proposed budget keeps the property tax rate at 89.9 cents per $100 of assessed value. Water and sewer rates would also be kept at the same level. City water customers currently pay $7.25 per thousand gallons of usage. Rates for customers outside the city limits are $10.88 per thousand. City sewer customers pay $6.75 per thousand gallons.

The largest city spending project is construction of a new police department building. The Boyce Ballard Construction Company of Murfreesboro had the lowest bid at over $2.6 million for a total roofed area of 12,800 square feet which includes a 1,400 square foot sally port. Although the cost may still be trimmed somewhat the city has budgeted the full amount to be funded by a bond issue yet to be authorized with a payout schedule over 20 years at a debt service payment the first year (2020-21) at $172,310 or less.

The new budget also includes funding for:

* A 2% cost of living pay raise for city employees except for police officers stepping to a higher level on the department’s five tier wage scale

*Another paid firefighter position at $40,876 (salary and benefits)

*2 new Dodge Charger police cars: $62,000

*New chipper truck with bed for the street department: $60,000

*New pickup truck for the fire department: $35,000

*$150,000 for street paving

* State COVID-19 grant: $135,774 to be spent as follows :$70,000 for tornado warning sirens, $43,000 for 16 air bottles and 10 sets of turnout gear for the city fire department, $14,000 for city hall roof repairs, $2,000 for two in car radios for the police department, and $5,500 for office computers at city hall.

* Airport: $527,725 grant for obstruction clearing and $30,000 Airport CARES grant

* $35,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for cost of repairs being made at Center Hill Dam. Under federal law, water utilities permitted by the Corps to draw water from lakes, including Center Hill are required to share in the costs for making repairs. Smithville is authorized to draw from the lake approximately two million gallons of water a day.

Although E911 director Brad Mullinax had requested the city up its annual contribution to the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District by $45,000 to fund another dispatcher position, the city apparently plans to deny the request and keep its contribution at the same level of $120,000 this coming year.

May 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Graduation for the Class of 2020 at DeKalb County High School is scheduled for Friday night, June 19 at 8:00 p.m. on the high school football field. Due to COVID 19 concerns and social distancing guidelines public attendance will be limited.

(Click Link Below to View Senior Photos)

https://www.wjle.com/graduation-2/

According to Director of Schools Patrick Cripps and DCHS Principal Randy Jennings graduates will be limited to six guests so that social distancing can be observed. Each senior will be issued six tickets including two for family seating on the football field and four tickets for guest seating in the stands. Guests are asked to sit 6 feet apart to ensure social distancing guidelines, with the exception of those who come together.

The commencement program will feature the presentation of the White Rose and Citizenship Awards to members of the Class, recognition of honors, distinction, top rank and service students, remarks by the Class Valedictorian Anna Chew and Class President Hannah McBride, and presentation of diplomas. The band and chorus will not be making an appearance this year.

May 27, 2020
By:

The 2020 Tiger Yearbook will be distributed to those who have reserved a book at DCHS on Wednesday, June 3, from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

If you have purchased your book on layaway, you may pay the balance with Cash when you pick up your book. After 12:00pm, the extra books will go on sale, first come, first served, for $85.00 Cash. The reserved list will be posted on the DCHS website and in each Google classroom.

Please contact advisers Debi DePriest or Donna Emmons if you have any questions.

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