August 27, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County voters will have even more reason to make it to the polls in November.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the county commission voted 13-0 to adopt a resolution to authorize a public referendum on the November 5, 2024 State and Federal General Election ballot asking voters whether the county should borrow up to $65 million to fund the eventual construction of a judicial center/jail.
The only member of the commission absent Monday night was Greg Matthews. All the others including Commissioners Tom Chandler, Daniel Cripps, Sabrina Farler, Myron Rhody, Tony Luna, Susannah Cripps, Tony (Cully) Culwell, Larry Green, Glynn Merriman, Jeff Barnes, Andy Pack, Beth Pafford, and Mathias Anderson voted in favor of the resolution to send the question to the ballot.
In June the county commission adopted an initial and detailed bond resolution not to exceed $65 million through issuance of General Obligation Bonds to build a judicial center/jail as well as a 51-cent property tax increase for debt service to fund it. Less than a month later a petition signed by more than 10% of registered voters protesting the move was submitted to and certified by the election commission clearing the way for a referendum subject to action by the county commission calling for a public vote.
While the referendum will gauge the public’s approval or disapproval of the issuance of bonds, it will not force a repeal of the 51-cent tax increase. The total county property tax levy for the year 2024-25 is now set at $2.51 per $100 of assessed value which is up from the tax levy of $2.00 per $100 of assessed value a year ago.
In addition to the referendum on the bond question for a judicial center/jail, local voters will get to decide whether or not the county should establish a $50 wheel tax in November.
In June, the county commission adopted an amended resolution to have a public referendum placed on the November 5 ballot for an up or down vote on a $50 wheel tax to support the debt service fund.
If approved by the voters, County Mayor Adcock said the revenue raised from the wheel tax would offset somewhat the 51-cent tax increase for debt service for the jail/judicial center and bring the property tax hike for debt service next year (2025-26) down from 51 cents to 33 cents.
The Presidential election is November 5th and voters in Tennessee will elect candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate (even-numbered districts), and Tennessee House of Representatives.