City to purchase new garbage truck

April 10, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

A new garbage truck!

The Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen will have a special called meeting Monday night, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall to consider adoption of a budget amendment to purchase a new rear load sanitation truck to replace an out of service 1997 Freightliner model. The meeting will be followed by a budget workshop.

The reason for making the purchase now rather than including it in the new 2025-26 budget is because the city could possibly get the new garbage truck quicker and cheaper at $215,894.

During a budget workshop Monday night, the mayor and aldermen discussed the purchase along with other budget requests from Mayor Josh Miller, Police Chief Mark Collins, City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson, and Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.

Mayor Miller said he would like to include in the new budget about $20,000 for the purchase and installation of solar powered streetlamps similar to those recently put in at the front of the city hall building. For now, the new streetlamps would be mainly for West Main, Walnut, and Market Streets but more could be added around the public square later. Mayor Miller said the lamps would have a more appealing look and make downtown more attractive.

Police Chief Collins asked for the purchase of 13 new tasers, holsters, and accessories to replace the 15-year-old x26 tasers the department currently is using. According to Chief Collins, the old tasers have become outdated making it more difficult to obtain replacement batteries, cartridges, and new software. The department bought two new tasers last year on a grant and those could be included with the 13 new ones under a five-year plan offered by a company to replace or repair them at no extra cost to the city along with an unlimited supply of batteries and cartridges. The city could make this purchase outright for $58,591 or make interest free payments of $11,718 per year over the five-year period.

Chief Collins also requested the purchase of two police vehicles to replace the one he currently drives and another for the department. The one for the chief would be a 2025 Chevy Tahoe 4-wheel drive priced under a state bid contract at $52,143 plus another $8,553 to equip it with lights, sirens, and signal box, etc. This vehicle would be unmarked. The other vehicle for the fleet would be a 2025 Dodge Durango for $45,060 with the police package plus an additional $10,924 to equip it with light bar, cages, striping, etc.

Last year the city budgeted $100,000 for street paving. Although a final number has not yet been established, the budget for paving could be more this year. City officials say because of higher costs the city can’t do much street paving or repairs for $100,000.

The mayor and aldermen may budget another 4% increase in water and sewer rates in 2025-26 to keep the city in the black and off the state’s radar for another year. Under state law, if a utility operates at a loss for more than two years and doesn’t address it, the state has the authority to force rate increases to make it solvent. The city is currently not operating at a loss in the water and sewer fund.

The public works department is requesting $5,000 to purchase a new mower trailer, a sanitation truck hot water steam cleaner for $5,000, and $5,300 to purchase a thumb kit for a backhoe bucket which could be funded equally between the general fund and water and sewer budget. Another $12,000 could be budgeted to install an automated gate system at the city water plant which could be used to slide open the gate using a key fob providing more security and easier and safer access especially for vehicles including 18-wheel rigs bringing in supplies.

The city is also considering naming a current public works employee to a new position to be the lead operator over maintenance and equipment and increasing his pay perhaps by only a dollar per hour. Further, the city may make another public works employee full time, rather than keep him at his current 29-hour per week part time status. This employee would be used more for maintenance in the park and especially during the fall to keep falling leaves off streets around the public square.

Last month Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the city should be making a commitment now to purchase a new fire engine to replace the oldest truck in the fleet, a 2001 model (Engine 2).

Chief Parker is asking that the city purchase a Pierce Custom Enforcer PUC Pumper currently priced at $1,248,449 with a prepayment discount of $130, 143 making the city’s actual cost $1,118,305. Delivery of the new fire truck would be within 37-38 months of order date. The cost would be only for the truck itself, and not the hoses and other apparatus to equip it.

Should the city later vote to purchase a new fire truck, the mayor and aldermen would have to decide whether the city should write a check for the full amount to save interest payments or finance it over a three-, five-, or seven-year period with interest.

No action has yet been taken by the mayor and aldermen on any budget request for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

April 9, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Another step toward annexation!

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen met and adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed annexation and approval of a plan of services for property located at 746 East Broad Street by owner consent. The public hearing will be held during the next monthly meeting on Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The city is to send adjoining property owners notification by letter.

The owners of Hollingshead Materials, LLC (Smyrna Ready Mix) concrete batching company bordering the city limits of Smithville are seeking annexation of two parcels including one where the SRM company now operates (Map 065, Parcel 073.04) and the adjoining vacant property (Parcel 073.05). The land (9 total acres) is situated between East Broad Street, Midway Road, and Terrell Road.

Last month, the Smithville Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan of services for the proposed annexation.

According to City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson the city already has most services accessible to the proposed site.

“Basically, what we have to do is show that city police and fire fighting services are available. He already has (city) water. The sewer is on septic already. He doesn’t need city sewer. He already has electric. He can have sanitation. It (plan of services) just shows that everything with street lighting and everything is fully covered,” said Hendrixson.

“Let me add to that the concrete plant may be on septic but the property next to it could be developed. I’m assuming they would probably need a pump station,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

During the public comment period, Steven Cantrell raised concerns.

“Concerning resolution 2025-A adopting a plan of services for an annexation request by Hollingshead Materials, LLC, what is the cost benefit ratio to the city of Smithville in approving the Hollingshead annexation request? While the immediate answer may be city tax revenue, the other answer might be so Hollingshead can build more houses on its adjoining lot because of city sewage services vice the restrictions concerning home to septic tank land requirements. Increasing the load on the aging city sewage and water systems is not without costs. In addition, if the city were to annex the property as requested, will it also adopt responsibility for the adjoining county road, and if so at what cost,” said Cantrell.

Mayor Miller said he had inquired last year with the city engineer about sewage service capacity.

“There are a lot of subdivisions going in and my question was how much (sewer service) we can handle. I talked to Daniel Tribble, Manager of Field Services for JR Wauford and Company of Nashville and he said Josh you’re good. That was probably a year ago. That is why we are doing a lot of infrastructure projects that needs to be done. I don’t think we are to that point to say we can’t build any more houses in the city,” said Mayor Miller.

The mayor gave an update on a sewer rehab project underway on South College Street in the area of Green Brook Park.

“They are still working on our sewer project. They are still about a month away from actually getting into Green Brook Park. It’s not very pretty over there right now. As nice as the weather is right now the park gets used a lot. We will have the splash pad open the first of May.  It won’t be affected. Again, it will be about a month before they get into the park and start working. They are going to put up more roping to kinda keep kids away. I know it will be an aggravation this summer,” said Mayor Miller.

Also brought up by the mayor was a request from a downtown business owner for the city to install speed bumps on West Main Street.

“There have been speed bumps before on West Main and it didn’t work out,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.

“At one time before I was on the city council, the aldermen at that time came to the conclusion that there would be no speed bumps on thru streets,” said Alderman Shawn Jacobs.

Meanwhile, Steven Cantrell spoke to another concern during the public comment period.

“Concerning the contract with Blue Line Solutions and the high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system it is my understanding that Blue Line Solutions may not proceed with the requirements under your contract until after a traffic study has been completed at all three schools. I realize it is the city’s requirement to commission and fund the traffic study because under Tennessee law, Blue Line is not allowed to commission and fund the study. However, once the city directed study has been completed, Blue Line may/will reimburse the city for the study. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no updates to the tax paying public on the progress or lack of progress on this high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system. I’m sure the public would appreciate an update, e.g., when will/or if the study has been completed and what the next step is,” said Cantrell.

On other matters, Cantrell said “I would like to thank Ms. (Jessica) Higgins and others who may have attended the City Cemetery fundraiser. We raised approximately $12,000 for the ongoing Restoration and Enhancement effort of the city’s Historic Cemetery”.

“I would also like to thank the mayor for the new stop sign at Walnut and North College Street that he and I had discussed. It’s in place,” added Cantrell.

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will have a special called meeting to discuss amending the budget and possibly taking action on a new garbage truck on Monday April 14th at 5:30pm. followed by a city budget workshop.

April 9, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Friends, family, and fans of country music icon Aaron Tippin gathered downtown Tuesday for a tribute to the legendary singer.

A ribbon cutting was held for “Aaron Tippin Alley” between Main Street and Market Street. The dedication was a tribute to Tippins’ contributions to music, his connection to the local community, and his embodiment of the hardworking spirited essence of country music.

Tippin said having an alley way dedicated to him was “cool”

“I was raised on a farm in South Carolina, and I wanted to get back to the country,” said Tippin. “That’s what I wanted to do. Get out of Nashville. When Thea and I started looking the first place we ever looked was in Alexandria. We had lunch at a café there. I told her (Thea) honey there ain’t no way we are ever moving this far out of town. So along came the Bass farm for sale. They told me where it was and I said man that’s a long ways out there but I said I’ll go look at it. I got in a pickup and got out there, stuck my old 45 in my pocket and started walking out there kinda looking around and about that time an 8 point buck walked right up over the hill in front of me. And I said SOLD. Since then our two youngest children have been here their whole lives. My oldest child worked in the drug store and went to college at Tennessee Tech and a lot of her life has been here. We have had the opportunity to raise our children here. Now we have grandchildren. Its been an incredible community. You guys have been great, and we are proud to call ourselves folks from DeKalb County,” said Tippin.

About Aaron Tippin:

Aaron Dupree Tippin, born on July 3, 1958, in Pensacola Florida is a celebrated figure in American country music, known for his authentic, blue-collar anthems that resonate deeply with the working class. Raised in Greer, South Carolina, Tippin’s early life was marked by diverse experiences including working as a farm hand, welder, truck driver, and commercial pilot, which later inspired many of his songs.

Tippin’s music career began to take shape in the 1970s when he performed in local honky-tonks. His big break came in 1990 when he signed with RCA Nashville releasing his debut single “You’ve Got to Stand for Something”. This song not only became a top 10 hit but also served as an anthem for U.S. soldiers during the Gulf War, cementing his place in country music history. His signature hits include “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio”, “Kiss This” and post-9/11 patriotic song “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly”.

Throughout his career, Tippin has released nine studio albums, with six achieving gold status and one platinum, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences through his distinctive baritone voice characterized by a Southern twang. His songwriting talent was also recognized early on, with songs written for artists like The Kingsmen, Mark Collie, and Charley Pride before his own recording career took off.

Beyond music, after moving to DeKalb County in 1994, Aaron Tippin has shown his entrepreneurial spirit by opening Aaron Tippin Firearms stores and by founding his own record label, Nippit Records, in 2006. His personal life includes his marriage to Thea in 1995, with whom he has two children. Tippin’s commitment to his community and love for country music makes him a beloved figure in Smithville, where he has also contributed to local businesses and cultural life.

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