The price of the property for a new DCHS Soccer playing field is costing the Board of Education a little more than originally anticipated.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the county commission approved a budget amendment of $6,677 to allow the school board to buy an additional acre of land. This includes $5,000 for the property and the rest to cover costs associated with the purchase.

The initial deal was for five acres of property adjoining the northside of the high school campus to Allen Ferry Road at a cost of $25,000.

Although the school board had the funds in capital outlay to make the purchase, approval of a budget amendment by the county commission was required last fall to transfer the money for the land purchase from the capital outlay line item in the budget.

County Mayor Tim Stribling explained Monday night that after a survey, it was discovered that the five acres did not extend all the way to Allen Ferry Road and that an additional acre would be needed to square up the property.

The school board had already voted to ask the county commission to approve the new budget amendment.

The soccer teams have never had a playing field to call their own. They use the high school football field to play their regular season games in the spring and fall.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has made arrests recently in separate domestic assault cases.

32 year old Joseph Edward Kilzer of Parkway Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and his court date is April 12.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, March 23 a deputy was called to a residence on Parkway Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke to a woman who said that she and her boyfriend, Kilzer had gotten into an argument and that he had kicked her in the upper leg and tried hitting her, leaving scratches on her arms, back, and chest. Kilzer was placed under arrest.

42 year old Rebecca Joy Larue of Hickman Road, Alexandria is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $3,500 and she will make a court appearance April 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, March 24 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Hickman Road due to a possible overdose. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Larue. After an investigation, the deputy concluded there had been no overdose but that Larue had assaulted her husband while he was trying to prevent her from taking all of her medication. Larue admitted to having scratched and slapped him on the right side of his face. She was then placed under arrest.

2017 property tax collections have exceeded projections.

As of March 26, the county had collected 94.30% of the $9.06 million in 2017 DeKalb County property taxes to be collected which includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes, according to Trustee Sean Driver, who addressed the county commission Monday night. That’s better than the 93.77% collection rate the county had budgeted as the anticipated percentage for the year 2017-18.

“I am glad to report tonight we have met budget. This is the first time it (collections) has been this high since 2007. I looked back today and in 2007 it was at 93.20% for this day in March in 2007. The 2017 property tax collections right now are at 94.30%. When I started in office September 1, 2006 we were at around 92% at that time. This time last year the 2016 property tax collections were at 91.35% and that was consistent all the way back to 2007,” said Trustee Driver.

Any 2017 unpaid property taxes may now be paid with interest and penalty. Meanwhile any 2016 unpaid property taxes may be paid with interest and penalty through March 31. However any 2016 unpaid taxes after March 31 will be turned over to the Chancery Court for collection.

Meanwhile there is still time for you to qualify for the State of Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program. If you would like to check on a possible tax relief for 2017, visit the Trustee’s Office at 732 South Congress Boulevard, Room 103, or call 615-597-5176. The last day to sign up for tax relief is April 5.

The Trustee’s Office is open regular hours from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday.