Smithville and Liberty Approve Extension of Sales Tax Agreements with County to Support New School Construction but Smithville makes it conditional

November 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Under one condition!

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen met in regular monthly session Monday night at city hall and voted to extend the city’s sales tax agreement with the county by 18 years through 2055 so that plans can be made for building a new elementary school. But the vote came with one condition. That the county issue bonds for construction within 12 months. Otherwise, the deal is off.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Mayor and Aldermen also met Monday night in Liberty and voted to extend the sales tax agreement by an additional 18 years but unlike Smithville, Liberty did not make the extension conditional upon the county issuing bonds within 12 months. In Liberty, Aldermen J.D Bratten, Ryan Dodd, Kevin Mullinax, Howard Reynolds Jr., and Kendra Stanford all voted in favor.

Under the existing 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 a 30-year bond up to $55 million in order to cover the costs of a new school without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

“If you pass this there needs to be a clause that if something is not passed and a bond is not issued in 12 months it goes back to the original contract (which the city is bound to through July 16, 2037). There has to be accountability to this. You can’t vote to extend it (sales tax agreement) and a school not be built. And if Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown decide they are not going to extend it and you (county) cannot build the school we have done our part”, said Smithville Mayor Josh Miller.

The vote in Smithville for conditional approval was 4-0-1 in favor. Aldermen Danny Washer, Shawn Jacobs, Jessica Higgins, and Donnie Crook all voted in favor. Alderman Beth Chandler passed. Although Alderman Chandler is in favor of a new school, she has reservations.

“I am all for a new school but breaking it down by year they (county) are basically getting roughly $2.18 million each year from the City of Smithville. What is required of us is $1.6 each year so what they are asking from the city is to give another half a million dollars each year on top of the $1.6 million. I am for a school, but I do want to make sure that this clause is put in (for county to issue bonds within 12 months) because that’s a big chunk. That is not a small amount, and this goes up through the year 2055,” said Alderman Chandler.

“The city, by law is required to give 50% of its sales tax money to the county which goes to the schools. But we (city) give two thirds (by agreement). Since 2008 we have given a little over $35 million. That is what the state has sent into the county and of that the 50% is a little over $26 million. Of the extra money that we have given above what we have been required to give is $8.8 million,” explained Mayor Miller.

“Over the last few years, they (county) have paid off the Northside Elementary School (construction debt with this sales tax money through debt service). The high school cafeteria was built (and paid off). The West School classrooms and tornado rooms were built (debt not yet retired) and I know they put new lighting up for the schools, etc.” said Mayor Miller.

Last Monday night, the county commission went on record pledging to fund construction of a new Pre-K to 2nd grade school if the four city governments in the county, Smithville, Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown vote to extend their existing sales tax agreements with the county by January 1, 2025 as recommended by the county budget committee. If the four cities agree to do that, the county will act on a 30-year bond resolution not to exceed $55 million to fund construction of a new school. If the cities don’t extend their agreements, the county will not proceed on its own.

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Smithville by far collects more local option sales tax money than all the other three towns in the county combined.

For the month of September, the state reports that Smithville took in 413,057 compared to Alexandria at $31,445, Dowelltown’s collections for September were $3,246 and in Liberty it was $19,266.

Net collections of local option sales taxes for the county and cities combined in September were $693, 524.

Again, under state law half of the cities’ local option sales tax collections go to the county but by agreement, the cities actually turn over two thirds to the county to help fund school operation and school debt.

November 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Another tribute to the late Hoyte Hale.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen, State Representative Michael Hale, and members of the Smithville Fire Department recognized the life and service of Mr. Hale who passed away unexpectedly on September 29.

Hale had served as both DeKalb EMS Director for nine years and as a member of the Smithville Fire Department for almost 40 years. He was Deputy Fire Chief at the time of his death.

Hale’s sons and other members of his family gathered for the tribute at city hall. State Representative Hale presented them a framed copy of a proclamation in honor of Hale adopted by the State House as well as flags flown over the state capital. Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Assistant Chief Jeff Wright also presented the family a special award on behalf of the department and a flag from Hale’s graveside service.

“I believe wholeheartedly that you give honor to whom honor is due,” said Representative Hale. “Your dad served this city and county for about 40 years. He missed a lot of things with you just to serve this community and this county. This proclamation and flags are being presented tonight in honor and thanks for the time your dad served Smithville and DeKalb County,” said Hale.

“Hoyte was an outstanding member of our community serving as Deputy Chief for the Smithville Fire Department, and Director for DeKalb County EMS,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

“He was a veteran firefighter for the Smithville Fire Department for almost 40 years”.

Hoyte worked his way up through the ranks of the fire department serving first as a firefighter, then Captain and finally Deputy Chief of the department”.

“Hoyte was an eight-time winner of the Robert Eller award which is given to firefighters with the highest attendance for yearly incidents”.

“While on the fire department, Hoyte wanted to better serve his community, so he began his EMS career, first as an EMT-IV then Paramedic and then the EMS Director for DeKalb County,” Mayor Miller continued.

“We would like to recognize Hoyte’s many years of service to the citizens of Smithville and DeKalb County. Let me say to Zackary, Devin, and Quentin and to the rest of the family that we are very sorry for your loss,” added Mayor Miller.

“Hoyte’s passing has left a hole in our department and he is missed,” said Fire Chief Parker.

“Hoyte was more than just a firefighter. He was a friend to all. The City of Smithville and the Smithville Fire Department wanted to do something to honor his legacy with a small token of our appreciation. This recognition award is in honor of the life and service of Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale from 1985 to 2024. In remembrance of your unwavering commitment and dedication of almost 40 years of service to the citizens of Smithville and the Smithville Fire Department”, said Chief Parker.

State Representative Hale also plans to present a framed copy of the proclamation and a flag to be hung in the Smithville Fire Hall in honor of Hale’s service.

By:

DTC Communications, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), is honored to announce a grant award of $4917.03 to DeKalb Middle School to expand its General Music Program. This grant will allow the school to purchase new classroom instruments and instructional materials, enhancing music education resources for current and future students.

DeKalb Middle School’s music teacher, Hannah Bratton, expressed the school’s gratitude, stating, “The DeKalb Middle School Saints want to sincerely thank the Foundation for Rural Service for the generous Community Grant awarded to our general music program. This grant allows us to purchase classroom instruments and instructional materials that will support all of our current and future students. Students will enjoy playing on high-quality instruments as they develop their love of folk music, and we are excited to see the community’s love of music grow as a result of this charitable contribution. When we received the call, it felt like a prayer had been answered because the students will now have access to the music education they deserve. Thank you, FRS and DTC, for your support.”

The General Music Program at DeKalb Middle School emphasizes core music skills, including rhythm, music literacy, and composition, inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of music. With the new resources provided by this grant, students will have more opportunities to play high-quality instruments, and broaden their understanding and enjoyment of music. DTC Communications is proud to be a part of this meaningful initiative.

“At DTC Communications, we believe that investing in our local schools and students enriches our entire community,” said Chris Townson, CEO of DTC Communications. “This partnership with FRS reflects our shared commitment to empowering young learners to explore the arts and reach their full potential.”

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