County Commits to Funding New Elementary School if Cities Extend Sales Tax Agreements

October 30, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Conditional funding for construction of a new elementary school has cleared another hurdle.

The county commission, during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, went on record voting 12-0 committing to fund construction of a new Pre-K to 2nd grade school if the four city governments in the county, Smithville, Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown vote to extend their existing sales tax agreements with the county by January 1, 2025 as recommended by the county budget committee two weeks ago. If the four cities agree to do that, the county will act on a 30 year bond resolution not to exceed $55 million to fund construction of a new school. If the cities don’t extend their agreements, the county will not proceed on its own.

“The budget committee has recommended that we do a bond resolution not to exceed $55 million contingent on all the other municipalities participating in extending their local option sales tax agreements by January 1, 2025,” said County Mayor Matt Adcock. “We do hope the public goes out and talks to their aldermen and mayors if you live in the towns of Alexandria, Liberty, Dowelltown, and Smithville and want this new elementary school. The budget committee does believe with advice from our financial advisor that we could fund the elementary school as presented without raising property taxes by using sales taxes only and only if the municipalities extend their sales tax agreements that we already have with them. If we don’t have signed agreements from all those municipalities and the board of education by January 1, 2025 then it dissolves,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Commissioners voting in favor were Tom Chandler, Daniel Cripps, Myron Rhody, Sabrina Farler, Tony Luna, Tony (Cully) Culwell, Greg Matthews, Glynn Merriman, Larry Green, Jeff Barnes, Andy Pack, and Beth Pafford. Commissioners Susannah Cripps and Mathias Anderson were absent.

County attorney Hilton Conger stressed that this vote was only in support of the project and not the actual bond resolution itself.

Should the cities extend their sales tax agreements funds for construction of a new school would be totally supported from the local purpose fund (local option sales taxes) to debt service to cover the projected costs. No property tax dollars would be needed to fund it.

During a joint meeting with the Board of Education and Director of Schools on October 8, the County Commission and County Mayor heard from Brian Templeton of Upland Design Group, the school board’s architect on plans to build a new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace the existing Smithville Elementary complex. The construction would be on property adjacent to Northside Elementary School.

Templeton conducted a power point presentation showing a rendering of the proposed new school as well as the schematic design and floor plans. The commission had first been shown the plans in a joint meeting with the school board two years ago.

According to Templeton, the plans are exactly the same except for the cost. In September 2022 the projected cost to build this proposed 124,207 square foot facility was $46,199,875. Today, the projected cost is $53,414,825.

Under the sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of the 30-year bond in order to cover the costs without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

October 30, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Between the Presidential election and the two referendums on the ballot in DeKalb County, interest is high for the November 5th elections and record numbers have been casting ballots during the early voting period

Sample Ballot

As of Wednesday October 30, a total of 5,998 had voted early in DeKalb County with still one day to go. Four years ago in November 4,606 cast ballots during early voting locally. For the entire election in November 2020 (election day, early voting, and absentees) 8,542 voted in DeKalb County. Eight years ago in November 2016, a total of 7,065 people voted in DeKalb County including 3,073 on election day and 3,992 early votes/absentee.

DeKalb County currently has 14,085 registered voters

Early Voting Thursday October 31 will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is the last day of early voting for this election

During the 13th day of early voting on Wednesday, October 30 a total of 299 people voted in DeKalb County including 292 in person and 7 by absentee.

The turnout each day is as follows:

Wednesday, October 16: A total of 643 including 492 in person, 100 by absentee, and 51 at the nursing home/Webb House.

Thursday, October 17: A total of 465 including 452 in person and 13 by absentee

Friday, October 18: A total of 530 including 521 in person and 9 by absentee

Saturday, October 19: A total of 323 including 314 in person and 9 by absentee

Monday, October 21: A total of 431 including 425 in person and 6 by absentee

Tuesday, October 22: A total of 776 including 551 in Smithville at the courthouse, 205 in Alexandria at the fairgrounds, and 20 by absentee.

Wednesday, October 23: A total of 362 including 359 in person and 3 by absentee

Thursday, October 24: A total of 346 including 326 in person and 20 by absentee

Friday, October 25: A total of 365 including 359 in person and 6 by absentee

Saturday, October 26: A total of 329 including 322 in person and 7 by absentee

Monday, October 28: A total of 317 including 301 in person and 16 by absentee

Tuesday, October 29 a total of 812 people voted in DeKalb County including 499 in Smithville , 300 in Alexandria, and 13 by absentee.

Wednesday, October 30 a total of 299 people voted in DeKalb County including 292 in person and 7 by absentee.

On the ballot this year is the Presidential election as well as races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (District 6), Tennessee Senate (District 16), and Tennessee House of Representatives (District 40).

In DeKalb County, two referendums are on the ballot regarding a $50 wheel tax and the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $65 million for a judicial center and jail.

In Smithville at the courthouse, early voting times will be Thursday, October 31 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

October 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

An elderly man lost his life and his wife is hospitalized with burns from a fire at their home at 1232 Roy Foster Road between Greenhill and Dibrell in Warren County around midday on Saturday.

Dead is 89-year-old Percy Pinegar, Sr. His wife, Nancy is at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Firefighters from the North Warren, Campaign-Rock Island, and Centertown Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene, found the residence partially ablaze, and learned that the bedridden Mr. Pinegar and his wife Nancy were still inside the home. Firefighters removed Mr. Pinegar but he died at the scene. Mrs. Pinegar and her grandson and great grandson got out of the residence although she suffered burns trying to help Mr. Pinegar.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is thought to have been accidental

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