County Commission Approves Sheriff’s Plan for SROs and Other Officers

June 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Plan approved!

Sheriff Patrick Ray will now make application to the state to fully fund all five school resource officer positions in DeKalb County now that the county commission has approved a plan that will allow him to use already allocated funds in his budget (currently for SROs) to add another detective and two more deputies to his staff.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the county commission adopted Sheriff Ray’s proposal after passage of the consolidated budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

County Mayor Matt Adcock addressed for the commission how the motion should be worded.

“This motion would allow the sheriff to apply for the state funded five school resource officers at $75,000 each and their salaries are to go into the salary line item for deputies and the remainder of the money will go into the line items in his (sheriff’s) budget to fund SRO equipment at each school. This motion also allows the sheriff to keep $195,000 in his budget for two deputies and one detective. The sheriff has agreed to turn back the remainder of the money for two SROs but this will add three more officers to his maintenance of effort,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly adopted legislation proposed by Governor Bill Lee to fund up to $75,000 per school in Tennessee for an SRO Officer. In DeKalb County, the sheriff must apply for the state funds which are recurring each year. “The state is going to give $75,000 to each school and the school resource officers’ salaries will come out of that and anything left can be spent on an SRO position whether it be for uniforms, guns, vests, gun safes, vehicles, etc.,” said Sheriff Ray.

Currently, an SRO is stationed at each of the five schools in DeKalb County. Three of them have been funded by the county and two by the school district but all five SRO’s work for the sheriff’s department and those salaries are in his budget. “The way we had the budget is the school district funded two of the SROs and the county paid for three. The five SRO salaries are in my budget under “salaries” and with the benefits and all it comes to a total of $323,982. The school system reimbursed their part ($128,982) for two SROs back to the county general fund,” said Sheriff Ray.

Under state law called “maintenance of effort”, the county cannot cut salaries or the number of employees in the sheriff’s department budget without the sheriff’s consent. Although the salaries for all five SRO positions are currently in the sheriff’s department budget, Sheriff Ray said he will surrender the maintenance of effort requirement for the two positions for which the school district reimburses the county, and keep the maintenance of effort for the other three, funded by the county and shift their duties from SROs to detective (1) and deputies (2) now that the commission has agreed to his proposal and he will apply for the state grant to fully fund all five SROs.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Ray said another SRO is needed at the high school and he has asked Director of Schools Patrick Cripps that the school district continue to fund one SRO position to give DCHS two SROs.

“I met with Mr. Cripps recently and asked that he keep one SRO for us to put at the high school. That SRO could also fill in for one of the other SROs when they are out,” said Sheriff Ray.

No official response yet from Cripps or the Board of Education on Sheriff Ray’s request.

In other business, the county commission appointed Ria Baker, Sharon Evans, Lucas Antoniak, and Amanda Mullinax to three-year terms on the DeKalb Library Board.

The commission acknowledged Leslie B. Enoch, II as a Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Unity District Commissioner and appointed Chamber Director Suzanne Williams as the county’s ThreeStar Administrator.

ThreeStar is a strategic community development program  in Tennessee developed to assist communities in preparing for a better future. The ThreeStar program incorporates asset-based planning initiatives and a timeline to accomplish goals in driving economic development. Through the ThreeStar program communities can qualify for grants.

June 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss has announced special office hours for this Friday and Saturday, June 30 and July 1.

“The County Clerk’s office is extending normal business hours on Friday June 30th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Saturday July 1st from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In observance of the 4th of July Holiday, the County Clerk’s office will be closed on Monday July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th. Normal hours resume Wednesday July 5th,” said County Clerk Poss.

Meanwhile County Mayor Matt Adcock has announced that all other county offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day Monday and Tuesday, July 3 & 4 and all convenience sites and the transfer station will be closed only on July 4.

June 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

When it comes to fireworks, not everyone welcomes the noise that comes along with the holiday. The Smithville Police Department urges those with fireworks to be cautious and respectful.

“As Police Commissioner, I think I need to remind everyone that there is NO ordinance against setting off fireworks in Smithville. The only place in the city limits where fireworks are banned is in the central business district downtown. Of course, people should not abuse this freedom and should refrain to shooting off fireworks at a reasonable time at night. After that, people may be cited for violating the city’s noise ordinance which begins at 11 p.m.,” said Smithville Police Commissioner and Alderman Shawn Jacobs.

“People shooting fireworks after 11 p.m. will simply be asked to stop,” added Police Chief Mark Collins.

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