DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for May was at 3.8%, up from 3.4% in April but below 4.2% in May, 2017.

The local labor force for May was 7,860. A total of 7,560 were employed and 300 were without work.

Jobless rates for May among the fourteen counties in the Upper Cumberland region were as follows from highest to lowest:
Van Buren: 4.4%
Clay: 3.8%
DeKalb:3.8%
Jackson: 3.7%
Fentress: 3.3%
Cumberland: 3.3%
Warren: 3.2%
White: 3.1%
Overton: 3%
Putnam: 3%
Macon: 2.7%
Cannon: 2.7%
Pickett: 2.6%
Smith: 2.4%

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips has announced that unemployment rates in nearly every Tennessee county remained under 5 percent during May 2018.

Ninety-three of Tennessee’s 95 counties recorded a rate in May that was less than 5 percent. Unemployment in two counties was 5 percent or greater during the time period.

Williamson County had the lowest unemployment in the state with a rate of 2.1 percent, which was 0.1 of a percentage point higher than it was in April.

At 2.2 percent, Davidson County followed with the second lowest rate in the state for May. That figure represented a 0.1 of a percentage point increase from the previous month.

The rates for both Williamson and Davidson Counties were 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the rates they recorded in May 2017.

“For nearly an entire year Tennessee has continued to experience historically low unemployment,” Burns said. “While some counties experienced a slight uptick in their rates between April and May, the numbers are still very impressive.”

Lauderdale County had the highest unemployment rate in Tennessee during May. Its rate of 5.3 percent was an increase of 0.4 of a percentage point from the previous month. Houston County’s 5.2 percent unemployment rate was 0.2 of a percentage point higher than its April rate.

For 11 consecutive months, Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate has been at 3.5 percent or lower. In May the rate was 3.5 percent, which was an increase of 0.1 of a percentage point from April, but still 0.3 of a percentage point lower than the May 2017 rate.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped in May for the second consecutive month. It was 3.8 percent, a decrease of 0.1 of a percentage point from the month before.

The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted to eliminate the influences of weather, holidays, the opening and closing of schools, along with other recurring seasonal events that could impact an economic times series.

Additional information on Tennessee labor statistics is available on the state’s workforce development website.

The Smithville Aldermen Monday night will meet in regular monthly session to consider passage of the new budget on second and final reading.

The council approved the budget on first reading last Thursday night, June 21.

The budget totals almost $6.4 million. Under the new spending plan, the property tax rate will remain the same at 64.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Water and sewer rates, which were increased last year, will not be changed this year. City water customers pay $7.25 per thousand gallons of usage. Rates for customers outside the city limits pay $10.88 per thousand. Sewer customers both inside and outside the city pay $6.75 per thousand gallons.

Although cuts were made in proposed spending in other areas, a one percent cost of living pay raise for city employees has been included in the budget and their longevity bonuses will remain. Raises due employees in the step wage plan will also be funded.

The half time employee at the animal shelter will be funded on a full time basis. The full time director at the animal shelter, who earns $15.00 per hour, will be raised to the same as entry level pay in other departments. The Chamber of Commerce will also be getting an increase in funding of $5,000 putting the total contribution at $15,000 from the city.

A used utility truck with a dump bed is budgeted for the water/sewer department as well as a newer used vehicle for animal control. New software for police department evidence identification has been included in the budget along with $9,500 to install a wrought iron fence around the veterans monument at Green Brook Park.

Fire hydrant repairs and maintenance of $25,000 is being funded in the water and sewer budget and the city plans to replace 400 feet of sewer lines on Bright Hill Road, a $40,000 expense. The city will also purchase 2 air tanks for the sewer plant and buy a tank for the plant at a cost of $1,261.

In other business, monthly departmental reports will be given and the aldermen will act on second and final reading of proposed ordinance # 475 adopting a revised Ordinance for the City of Smithville Zoning Ordinance.

Any other business properly brought before the board will also be considered

The meeting Monday night will be at 6 p.m. at city hall.