County Asking State for Fair Distribution of Local Sales Tax Revenue from Internet Sales

March 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Are rural counties getting short changed from the state’s distribution of sales tax revenue from out-of-state sellers including internet sales?

Some say the current distribution of a uniform local sales tax rate for out-of-state sellers is not equitable and should be eliminated.

Under current tax laws, if an out-of-state retailer ships goods into the state, it has to pay state sales taxes after $500,000 in sales. That’s the use tax that applies to property imported by a customer for use in Tennessee, including internet sales. That revenue is doled out to the state, which distributes it locally at a percentage based on brick-and-mortar sales.

Representatives of counties and cities on the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations recently formed a working group to study the issue and is recommending that local sales tax revenue from out-of-state sellers be distributed based on the destination of the purchaser.

The TACIR is asking counties to adopt a resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to adopt a law making the change. It is also being recommended for passage by the Tennessee County Services Association and the Association of County Mayors.

The county commission Monday night adopted the resolution.

“What is happening right now, if you buy something out of state and it is shipped to your home and there is sales tax involved, the state sales tax portion goes to the state but the local option part of the sales tax goes into a pool and it is distributed according to how much sales tax that county collected for the state of Tennessee. For example, Davidson County collects about 12% of the total sales tax for the state so Davidson County would get 12% of this money from this pool. What the TACIR is saying is the local sales tax should return to the county from where the purchase originated in order to give each county its fair share,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling.

“That would have meant an extra $376,000 for DeKalb County according to 2017 figures. That isn’t chump change. If this resolution is adopted by the state it will mean a significant amount of money for the county,” added fourth district commissioner Dr. Scott Little.

“This equates to about eight cents of the property tax rate,” said County Mayor Stribling.

March 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

If you would like to get a first-hand experience of what it’s like to be a county volunteer firefighter then sign up today for the 10^th session of the DeKalb County Fire Department Citizens’ Fire Academy.

The classes begin on April 16 and continue through May 21 meeting once a week on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Fire Department’s Main Station on King Ridge Road.

The deadline to register is March 31. Space is limited so book your spot today.

(VIDEO BELOW SHOWS CITIZENS’ FIRE ACADEMY PARTICIPANT LORA WEBB USING EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT NORMALLY DEPLOYED TO FREE VICTIMS OF CAR CRASHES)

County Fire Chief Donny Green said the academy is open to anyone age 18 or older who lives or works in DeKalb County.

“The purpose of the academy is to provide a behind-the-scenes look, from a citizens’ perspective, at the organizational structure, administration, operation, and response capabilities of the DeKalb County Fire Department and supporting agencies, such as the 911 Dispatch Center, law enforcement/investigations, emergency medical services, and fire prevention and safety agencies,” said Chief Green.

Participants may observe or actually get some hands-on experience by dressing up in firefighter turnout gear and operating department equipment including the jaws of life extrication tools under the supervision of the county firefighters.

There is no cost to participate and those who do will be provided a light meal at each session. A graduation ceremony will be held on the last night of the course May 21 and a meal will be served. Graduates of the class will also get an official DeKalb County Fire Department Citizens’ Fire Academy t-shirt.

For more information, contact Chief Donny Green at 615-464-7176.

March 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A Fayetteville woman has been charged with burglary and theft of a vehicle.

25 year old Brittany Faith Ortt is under a $15,000 bond and her court date is April 18.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 2, 2018 Ortt broke into and stole a Nissan Altima valued at $10,000 from Lakeview Circle.

She was arrested on March 20.

31 year old James Edward Gilles of South College Street is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on April 11.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 19 a deputy served Gilles with an order of protection and ordered him to leave the property. Gilles said he would not leave because the property belonged to him. The officer again instructed Gilles to get his clothes and leave but Gilles became argumentative and refused to go. He was then placed under arrest.

28 year old Robert Alexander Judkins of Baxter is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court April 11.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 28, 2018 a deputy was dispatched to Alex Lane to do a welfare check on a possible domestic violence victim. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim who said that she and her boyfriend, Judkins got into an argument earlier that week which became physical when Judkins punched her, threw her down, and grabbed her by the throat. She suffered several bruises on her body consistent with her claims.

53 year old Mark Gregory Brock of Webb Lane, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on April 11.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 21 a deputy was patrolling on McMinnville Highway when he noticed a white car coming toward him. As the car approached the driver failed to dim his high beam lights. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Brock. The deputy learned that Brock’s license were revoked for a DUI in DeKalb County with an action date of April 19, 2012.

42 year old Christopher Joe Bogle of Antioch Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. He is under a $3,500 bond and his court date is April 11.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 23 a deputy was called to Antioch Road regarding a physical domestic. Upon his arrival the officer spoke with a woman who had suffered swelling to her right eye and cheek. The woman told the deputy that Bogle had assaulted her on the right side of her face. Bogle was placed under arrest.

27 year old Stephen Bradley Fitts of Brush Creek is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $3,000 and he will make a court appearance on April 11.

Sheriff Ray said on March 24 a deputy was dispatched to a wreck on Nashville Highway. Upon his arrival the officer spoke with the driver of the vehicle, Fitts who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Fitts was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. He also performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

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