Mullinax Asks for Amendment to Radio Purchase Deal at No Extra Costs to County

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The county commission is being asked to amend a plan put in place last month to fund a portion of the county’s emergency radio communication system upgrades.

According to 911 Director Brad Mullinax, who addressed the county commission in a committee of the whole meeting Thursday night, the proposed change would make the overall plan more cost effective and not require any extra commitment of funding from the county.

The commission is expected to formally act on the proposal during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Under the arrangement approved by the county commission in January, a one- time expenditure of $1.2 million is to be made in a joint venture between the county and the 911 board to replace radios for the sheriff’s department and ambulance service through Motorola Solutions, except for the EMS mobile radios the state is going to fund. The Motorola radios are to be under warranty for seven years. The county and 911 are to split the cost at $600,000 each. Director Mullinax explained at the time that efforts would be made to apply for federal funding through FEMA’s Assistance to Fighters Grant for new fire department radios only.

Since then, after learning that the total project cost is less at $1.15 million instead of $1.2 million, Director Mullinax said he has come up with an even better plan under which the 911 board would agree to put an extra $100,000 toward the purchase of mobile radios for the county’s fire trucks, which can be bought for half price. Mullinax said he thought this would be a more preferable move after also learning that AFG grant funding might not be available for fire department mobile radios because they are no longer considered a high priority item under this grant program.

By ensuring that mobile radios can be funded through the agreement between the county and 911, Mullinax explained that an AFG grant application could be made on behalf of the county fire department as well as the Smithville and Alexandria Fire Departments as a collective group for the purchase of portable radios.

“We did a little more arm twisting with Motorola and have come up with a potential better solution that would not cost the county any more money above the $1.2 million already allocated including $600,000 from the county and $600,000 from 911. We are now able to secure funds to replace the mobile radios in the county fire engines for about half price,” said Director Mullinax. “We were looking at about an $8,000 per unit radio but if we buy them as part of this project it will cost us a little over $4,000 because of the discounts involved,” Mullinax explained. “I have talked with my 911 board members, and they have agreed to apply that $100,000 payment toward the purchase of the mobile radios for the county fire department in lieu of the portable radios, which Chief Donny Green and I are now applying for through an AFG grant. The county and city fire departments and EMS are eligible for grant funds (for portable radios) under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. We initially thought we were going to apply for mobile radios for the fire departments under this grant, but the AFG program changed criteria this year to make mobile radios and vehicle repeaters a medium priority item. Last year they were high priority. Regional grant consultants have cautioned us not to apply for medium priority grants because they might not be funded. Plans are to now make application as a collective group for portable radios for the fire departments through AFG instead of mobile radios,” said Mullinax.

“What we are now asking you (county commission) to do is to amend the plan for us to spend a total of $1.3 million instead of $1.2 million. 911 will come up with the extra $100,000 so we can get mobile radios at half price and not cost you (county) any more money. By doing this we can equip the county fire department with mobile radios in the fire engines,” added Mullinax.

February 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County property taxpayers have only a few more days to pay their 2023 county property taxes.

2023 Property taxes are due and payable through February 29, 2024 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2024. Interest will accrue on March 1, 2024 @ 1.5% per month. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 29, 2024 to avoid any accrued interest.

As of Friday, February 23, Trustee Sean Driver said 75.25% had been collected of the $12.9 million in 2023 DeKalb County property taxes to be collected by February 29, 2024 which includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes.

Unpaid 2022 taxes may still be paid with interest and penalty through March 31, 2024 but after that date the Trustee will file for collection with the Clerk and Master’s Office of the Chancery Court.

The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your 2023 property taxes:

1. Come in person to the office to pay

2. Mail in your payment

3. Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens – The Vendor BIS/I3 Verticals accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express – The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change using Credit/Debit Cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an E-CHECK payment of any amount. DeKalb County does not collect any online payment fees.

4. A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website with your I-phone, smartphone, etc. @ www.tennesseetrustee.org

5 A Dropbox is located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours and/or weekends.

6. Partial Payments are accepted, and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is satisfied.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:

The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners Tax Relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and the program has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 403 applicants on the program for 2023. So, as a property owner for 2023, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:

(A) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence,

(B) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2023, or

(C) You are under 65 years of age with a totally and permanently disability per SSA or another qualifying agency, and last

(D) Your 2022 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses that DID NOT exceed $33,460.00.

If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $104.00 for the 2023 tax year. You must pay your 2023 tax bill in full to start the application process. Applications are handled, executed, and sent to the State of Tennessee by the Trustee’s office.

The State of Tennessee also offers Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans and the Surviving Spouses of a Disabled Veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse do NOT have to report any amount of income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow/er of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $589.00 for 2023.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County has implemented a “Tax Freeze” program authorized by the state and Trustee Driver explains the qualifications for that.

NEW 2023 PROGRAM: ‘TAX FREEZE’

• Established through voters in the State of Tennessee through a referendum passage in 2007

•The Program is only for ELDERLY – 65 years or older

•Income Limit (2022 Annual Income) is $33,460.00. All owners on the property

•Can only have Tax Freeze on your primary/principal residence

•The TAX AMOUNT is Frozen. The property value, assessment, and tax rate are Not Frozen.

•You can apply or have both Tax Relief and Tax Freeze.

•Applications are administered and executed by the Trustee’s office.

•There are acreage limits that can be frozen.

The Trustee’s office will accept applications for the Tax Relief & Tax Freeze Programs through April 5, 2024. If you would like to inquire more about a possible Tax Relief for property taxes or about the New Tax Freeze Program, come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office @ 732 S. Congress Blvd – Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call @ 615-597-5176.

February 25, 2024
By: Bill Conger

Six students in the D.C.H.S. Band made the final cut for the 61st annual Festival of Winds and Percussion at Tennessee Tech. Selected to perform in the first of two bands at the February 9-10 event were Ayden Jones, trumpet, Alexis Stanley, trumpet, Daniel Stiffler, clarinet, Marvin “B.J.” Mosley, tenor saxophone, Serenity Patterson and Karson Smallwood, percussion.

Students from Tennessee high school bands are selected after trying out over audio or video auditions. In early December students sent in their recorded try-out material that included performing major scales and two sight reading pieces (music they have never seen/played previously).

“They get the results when they arrive early morning February 9th,” Band Director Don Whitt explained. “They have been evaluated by a judge who is a professor in the music department at TTU. They are placed in either of two bands.”

Whitt says students learn their music during ten hours of practice over the two days.

“Also, there are wonderful times during the weekend where the students get to hear a concert by a professional band, several wind ensembles featuring professors on campus, and the TTU Jazz ensemble,” Whitt said. “If the students would like to go to University and major in music, this is one way to be recognized. You, as a student, get to meet faculty, experience what it is like on a college campus with other students your age that you may have the opportunity to one day perform with in band.”

Whitt said the special event also gave him and other music educators a chance to relive old times.

“I was able to see other educators when I was at the University of North Alabama that I had played with 36 years ago in honor band. We were just saying that if we did this over again, we would jump in and play with them…just to relive that experience. It is indeed fun to learn new pieces of music with great and talented people from just this state.”

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