2021 Property Tax Notices to be Mailed This Week

September 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

It’s almost time to pay your county property taxes!

2021 property tax notices will be going out in the mail Thursday, September 30 bearing the color of orange to symbolize energy, joy, happiness, determination, positivity, warmth, and good health.

Property taxes will be due and payable starting October 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2022. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 28, 2022 to avoid any accrued interest.

For 2021, the tax rate has changed from 2.1235 % to 1.7308% per $100.00 of your assessed value. The tax notices include an example provided by Trustee Sean Driver on how the property taxes are calculated.

Example: Appraisal Value————$125,000 X Assessed Value @25%—-$31,250 X Residential Tax Rate @ 1.7308%——$541 Tax Amount to Pay.

“I can say it is true what I was told years ago, “As you get older, time flies.” Another year has passed and it’s that time again for property owners of DeKalb County,” said Trustee Sean Driver. The 2021 property tax notices will be mailed out on September 30, 2021 for annual collection. This year you will see a new “Orange” color on the 2021 property tax notices. Some people like the color orange and some people do not. I chose the “Orange” color this year because of what the color represents to me. With what has happened in our country the last 2 years, we can only think to the positive. So, in choosing the “Orange” color, one has to know it symbolizes Energy, Joy, Happiness, Determination, Positivity, Warmth, and Good Health. From our families here at the Trustee’s offices to all the families we represent, we wish all of these characteristics to yours. Hold your head up, look up, and keep pushing through,” said Driver.

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

*Come in person to the office to pay

*Mail in your payment

*Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor BIS (Business Information Systems) accepts Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express-The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.

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

* Dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.

*Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is made.

The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Property Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2021 through April 5, 2022. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief for property taxes, come by the Trustee’s office in the County Complex at 732 S Congress Boulevard-Room 103, Smithville or call 615-597-5176.

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 has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 412 applicants on the program for 2021. As a property owner for 2021, 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, 2020, (C.) Under 65 years of age with a total and permanent disability per the SSA or another qualifying agency, and (D.) The 2020 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses DID NOT exceed $31,190. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $126 for 2021. You must pay your 2021 tax bill IN FULL to start the application process.

* Also, the State of Tennessee 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 will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower 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 $757 for 2021.

September 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Calling all cat lovers!

The DeKalb Animal Shelter has lots of cats in need of permanent homes. If you would like to adopt one or more contact the shelter today.

“Crow” is the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”.

“Crow is one of our little Halloween babies. We have a whole litter of black kittens that we need to find homes for. Crow is about 4 months old and he is solid black in color except for the white tip of his tail. He is super affectionate, fun, and really good with other cats. He is just a happy playful little baby. His adoption fee is $60. He will be neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and de-wormed. Just go to our website and fill out an adoption application and we will call you to come and meet him,” said Shelter Director Emmaly Bennett.

For more information phone 615-597-3647.

Meanwhile, upcoming fundraising events include a first ever Cars and Paws Car Show to be held downtown Smithville on the public square Saturday October 2 starting at 10 a.m. Most of the proceeds will go to the shelter.

The 2nd annual Hogs for Dogs Poker Run sponsored by the Friends of the DeKalb Animal Shelter will be Saturday, October 16 starting at Twisted Oaks. Check facebook later for more details.

A DeKalb County Haunted History Tour will be October 19 & 21 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. starting at the law office of Sarah Cripps. Tickets are $10 each.

September 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Congressman John Rose is opposed to a $3.5 trillion spending bill which was advanced by the US House Budget Committee Saturday and will be sent to the House floor for a vote.

The Sixth District US Congressman, who serves DeKalb County in the Congress, was in Smithville Saturday for a DeKalb County Republican Party event.

“These proposals to spend trillions of dollars and fundamentally change the nature of our country from a capitalist free enterprise democracy to a socialist command economy I think really threatens the American dream and the American way of life,” Rose told WJLE.

The committee vote was 20 to 17 with Democratic Rep. Scott Peters of California joining Republicans to vote against the bill. It came as a necessary step for the bill to reach the full House floor, where it can be amended.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated in a statement Saturday that she wants to bring the massive economic package as well as a separate one – which includes funding for roads and bridges, money for transit and rail, a broadband upgrade and an upgrade for airports, ports and waterways — to the House floor this week.

Democrats have been struggling to pass President Joe Biden’s economic agenda. This bill has raised concerns among moderates who worry some of the measures go too far, as progressives say they’ve already compromised enough. Republicans, including Congressman Rose are united in their opposition to it. Even if it passes the House, Rose said he is hopeful the bill can be defeated in the Senate.

“Unfortunately right now we (Republicans) are at the mercy I think of two so-called moderate US Senators, Joe Manchin from West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona so we have to hope that they hold the line and refuse to let this massive spending proposal go through. There is some talk that there may be some liberal Democrats in swing states and in swing districts that could join us in stopping some of this but so far they seem to have capitulated to the radical extreme socialist elements of the Democratic Party,” said Congressman Rose.

Another bill Congressman Rose opposes is the “For the People Act” which passed the US House earlier this year. The bill stalled in the Senate on a 50-50 vote.

“Democrats have attempted to disguise this legislation as voter and election reform, but nothing could be further from the truth,” said Congressman Rose. “This bill seeks to change election laws to federalize our elections and change outcomes of elections all across the country. Its one of the most damaging pieces of legislation I have seen in my short two-plus years in Congress. I will continue to do everything I can to fight for the integrity of our nation’s elections. This bill would bring the same dysfunctional election procedures to Tennessee that we saw in states like California, New York, Pennsylvania, and others during the 2020 presidential election where results were delayed for weeks and months, further bringing the integrity of the outcome into question,” said Congressman Rose.

Although if passed the legislation would likely be contested in state and federal courts, Rose said the law would still impact elections until the issues are adjudicated.

“I think the worst aspects of the legislation ultimately would be found unconstitutional in the courts but that takes time so you would probably see some impact on elections in the short term before the courts could fully adjudicate those claims, which could take two to ten years,” Rose continued.

The state is undergoing redistricting based on results of the 2020 Census. Congressman Rose said his district will have to lose some 40,000 residents. He is hopeful that the legislature will keep the district intact as much as possible.

“I know it’s the general assembly that has the power to re-district based on the results of the 2020 census but I would love to see the sixth district stay the same. We have grown faster than the rest of the state so we will have to lose some residents. About 40,000 of the current population of the district will have to be drawn out one way or another. There is some conversation happening about perhaps shifting dramatically to have an 8-1 split between Republicans and Democrats which would then make the sixth district probably include part of Davidson County or Nashville but that would be a pretty dramatic change. I hope we can keep the Upper Cumberland together,” said Congressman Rose.

The sixth district includes all of Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties and areas of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.

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