News

Two DeKalb West School students and one DeKalb Middle School student finished in the Top 10 at the 2025 Middle School Math Contest at Tennessee Tech. DMS 8th grader Carter Moore was number 2 out of 145 students in his grade division while DWS 8th grader Gabriel Blair placed 5th. DWS 6th grader Wyatt Bain placed 8th out of 145 students in his grade division.

Four hundred third-five students from 40 schools participated in the contest Thursday (April 10) at TTU.

DWS Math Contest students pictured front row left to right are Wyatt Bain, Paisley Avera, Turner Stanley, and Bella Gonzalez

Pictured back row left to right are Conner Robinson, Kaden Mullinax, Dakota Ferrell, Gabe Blair, Levi Reynolds, Bentley Martin, Joseph Grabovack, and Lucas Nokes.

A man charged with attacking his former foster parent and that man’s daughter appeared for sentencing last Monday, April 7 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

24-year-old Garrett Nicolas Vallem entered a plea to one charge of aggravated assault and received a five-year sentence to serve at 30% before his release eligibility date. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Knox County case. Vallem was given jail credit for a total of 619 days served. He was originally charged with two counts of aggravated assault but one of them was dismissed upon his plea.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 1, 2023 a deputy was summoned to a residence on Old Bildad Road due to a 911 wrong number call. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man and his daughter who reported that Vallem showed up intoxicated at their home and began arguing. They said Vallem then stood up and hit his former foster parent several times on the arms, ribs and face, before putting his hands around the man’s neck rendering him almost unconscious. As the daughter intervened trying to break up the fight, Vallem allegedly hit and grabbed the woman by the throat, rendering her almost unconscious. The officer reported that the former foster parent had red marks on his neck and the side of his head, as well as a cut on his elbow and head, while the woman also showed red marks around her neck.

Meanwhile.33-year-old Hope Leigh Hicks entered a plea to possession of methamphetamine over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $2,000.

Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that on July 31, 2024 police were summoned to South College Street where a woman was reported to be slumped over the wheel of a vehicle with the motor running. Upon arrival the officer awoke the woman, Hicks and got her out of the vehicle. She was unsteady on her feet. Hicks’ speech was slurred, and her eyes were red and watery. She consented to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. A small bag of a crystal-like substance was found in the vehicle along with a loaded nine-millimeter handgun. Police learned that Hicks was under bond conditions from an aggravated assault case preventing her from having possession of a firearm. She was placed in custody and a blood sample was taken from her.

49-year-old Robert Dwayne Moore entered a plea to possession with intent to deliver less than 0.5 grams of a schedule II drug and received a four-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation. He was fined $2,000.

Chief Collins said that on May 16, 2024 an officer while on patrol stopped a vehicle on Earl Avenue. While speaking with the driver, Moore the officer noticed signs of impairment and a strong odor of marijuana. During a subsequent probable cause search, the officer found four bags of a crystal-like substance that weighed 6.09 grams, one bag containing 14 yellow pills, two bags of crushed pills, and a bag containing a green leafy substance along with scales and a grinder with white residue.

52-year-old Melisha Renea Martin entered a plea to possession with intent to deliver a schedule II drug. She received a four-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation. Martin was fined $2,000.

Martin was charged with three others on February 28, 2022 by the DeKalb and Warren County Sheriff’s Departments while executing a search warrant at 745 Adcock Cemetery Road. At the time Martin was charged with possession of Methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver; Possession of a Schedule II drug (Methadone); Possession of a Schedule I drug (Heroin); Possession of a Schedule IV (Xanax); Possession of a Schedule II drug (Oxycodone); and Possession of a Schedule VI drug (Marijuana) with intent to sell or deliver. Inside her bedroom were heroin, Xanax pills, Oxycodone, methadone pills, methamphetamine, marijuana, and a large amount of baggies, scales, pipes and other paraphernalia. Inside a car registered to Martin were additional marijuana and meth.

45-year-old Hani Mohamad (BJ) Shirhan Ittayem entered a plea to possession with intent to sell less than 0.5 grams of a controlled substance. He received a six-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation and was fined $2,000.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 19, 2023 a detective tried to confront Ittayem but he fled into the woods on foot after abandoning the motorcycle he had been operating. The detective conducted a visual inspection of the motorcycle and found on it a green scale with residue. A further search of the motorcycle yielded a bag which held a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 19.78 grams, and a white powdery substance thought to be cocaine which weighed 3.69 grams.

A Murfreesboro man who set fire in the front yard of a Dowelltown residence threatening a woman and her four-year-old son inside before breaking into their home entered a plea to aggravated burglary.

22-year-old Ricoryon Lamontez Henderson received a four-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. The term is to run consecutive to a Rutherford County case against him. He was given jail credit of 49 days

Sheriff Ray said that on April 24, 2024 Henderson allegedly broke into the Corley Street residence through a bedroom window after setting fire to property outside causing the woman there and her four-year-old son to fear imminent bodily injury. Once inside, Henderson allegedly stole a green and brown Michael Kors purse valued at $250.

Before breaking into the home, Sheriff Ray said Henderson allegedly set fire outside to a flowerpot and table valued at $90, a bicycle valued at $40, and a portion of the front yard. He then took a picture of the fire and sent it to the woman. Sheriff Ray said gasoline believed to have been used as an accelerant was found on the scene and a lighter was recovered from Henderson.

35-year-old Jeremy Trent Sanders entered a plea to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to CPS probation.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 2, 2024 a deputy was at the Midnight Express on Sparta Highway on a call and during that investigation, Sanders walked up to the officer acting belligerently and he smelled of alcohol. At first Sanders complied with the officer’s request to leave but he later returned still acting belligerently. Sanders again was asked to leave and complied. Later Sanders returned again in a gray Nissan Altima. Sanders, who appeared to be intoxicated, was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest after refusing to submit to field sobriety tasks and implied consent.

26-year-old Elijah Malik Walton entered a plea to aggravated assault and received a three-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation.

According to Chief Mark Collins, Smithville Police were summoned to Bizee Mart in September 2023 in reference to a shooting that had occurred. Officers spoke with the victim who reported that Walton had shot at her. During the investigation it was discovered that Walton and the victim had gotten into an argument in Murfreesboro and she left. Later, Walton located the victim getting gas at Bizee Mart and an altercation occurred with him striking her in the face. Once she got into her vehicle and started to drive away, Walton pulled a gun and shot at her, placing the people at the convenience store in harm’s way also. Warrants were taken for Walton and he was taken into custody later.

46-year-old Jason Richard Skaroupka entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams (2 counts) and received an eight-year sentence on TDOC supervised probation. He was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 199 days.

The warrants against Skaroupka allege that “On August 15 and September 19, 2024 he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Smithville Police Department in an undercover capacity. While conducting a search warrant on the home of Skaroupka on September 19, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia were found in his bedroom which included waterbongs, used syringes and many small plastic baggies, and a weed grinder. A handgun was also found in his bedroom”.

51-year-old John Allen Judkins Jr. entered a plea to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation except for 48 hours to serve. He was fined $350 and will lose his driver license for one year. Judkins must also undergo an alcohol and drug assessment.

Smithville Police responded to a call of two people in a truck yelling on April 26, 2023. The vehicle was in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, the officer found two individuals passed out in a Ford Ranger in the middle of the intersection. The driver, Judkins was passed out with his foot on the gas pedal and brake with the truck in gear. The officer put the truck in park and woke both parties, at which time, Judkins tensed up and put the gas pedal to the floor revving the motor to a high rpm. Judkins’ speech was slurred, and he was sweating in 55-degree temperature. When asked to exit the vehicle, Judkins complied but he was unsteady on his feet. He told the officer that he couldn’t perform field sobriety tasks, but he did consent to a blood draw.

40-year-old Frank Andy Checchi entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug under 0.5 grams with intent to deliver (2 counts) and received a four-year sentence in each case to run consecutively for a total of eight years, but all suspended to TDOC probation pursuant to judicial diversion. He was fined $2,000. All other charges against him were nollied.

According to Police Chief Collins, both Checchi and his girlfriend, 37-year-old Randi Renee Dossett of 549 Cooper Street were each charged in February 2024 with child abuse or neglect, possession of schedule II drugs (Ritalin, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine), possession of a schedule III drug (Suboxone), possession of a schedule IV drug (Xanax), possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“During the search several miscellaneous drug paraphernalia objects were found in the home including meth and marijuana pipes, scales, needles, burnt tin foil, cut straws, residue, and grinders along with 1 hydrocodone, 41 Adderall, 7 oxycodone, 2.5 grams of meth, 5 grams of fentanyl, 11 suboxone, 5.5 Xanax, and 10 grams of marijuana. Drugs were also found in the common areas easily accessible to the children and living conditions were found to be squalid,” said Chief Collins.

Two of a kind!

Thanks to the DeKalb Animal Shelter you can double your pleasure and fun by adopting “Johnny” and “Walker”. The WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pets of the Week”

Johnny and Walker are a bonded pair of domestic shorthaired cats from the same litter. They are eight years old and have been fixed and vaccinated. They are ready to go home with you for one great deal. Adopt one at full price and adopt the other for half price. The cost for both is $180. Johnny and Walker should be adopted together.

If you are interested in meeting Johnny and Walker, fill out an application on the animal shelter website or come in. Visit https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ or call 615-597-3647.

The shelter is open Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Transfer Station Road off Highway 70 east behind Tenneco.

The Budget Committee of the County Commission held its first meeting of the year last Tuesday night to begin preparations for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

County Mayor Matt Adcock and the committee reviewed projected revenues and expenditures for the new year compared to the current fiscal year. Sheriff Patrick Ray and Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes attended as scheduled to make budget requests for their operations.

The DeKalb County Election Office currently has one full time deputy administrator. Estes said the office needs a second full time employee and he cited statistics to back up his request.

“I am requesting to add one deputy to my staff. I operate with a staff of one,” he said. “Some statistics to back up the need for the extra support, from 2017 to 2025 we have seen a 21% growth in our voter rolls,” explained Estes. “In the last four years DeKalb County has increased 8% in its total residents and our voter rolls have increased 11%. Looking at similar counties to DeKalb County, Smith County has two deputies. I think they have operated with two deputies for some time. Adding a second deputy would potentially alleviate any comp time and it would also support our office in vacation and sick time. We have been fortunate so far but with a staff of one I feel like we run the risk during election time. Heaven forbid but if something were to happen to myself or that one person during an election, we would really have liability with such an important task,” explained Estes.

With a second employee, the budgetary line item for salary and wages would increase from $42,889 (budgeted for 2024-25) to $80,935 (2025-26) and that proposed increase would also impact line items for social security, pensions, unemployment, and employer Medicare.

With fewer elections in the 2025-26 budget year, Estes said the expense for election commission workers would be reduced by $20,000.

“This is due to the fact that we are coming out of a year with two elections into a year with one election. Also, the required notices we have to publish in the newspaper would be reduced by $1,250 because we will only have one election instead of two,” Estes explained.

However, fees for other contracted services would increase by $3,000.

“Our voting machine vendor has increased their contracted yearly maintenance fee from $12,000 to $15,000. They have not given an increase in many years and this increase will be locked in for the next four years,” said Estes.

According to Estes, the election commission has more than operated within its budget this year and he is hoping to “give back” to the county up to $30,000 by the end of the budget year.

In January, the county commission voted to relocate the election commission headquarters from the first floor of the courthouse to the unused office space at the county complex. A budget amendment in the amount of $110,000 was also adopted. The money will be appropriated from the fund balance of the capital projects fund. The project was recently advertised for bids but none have been received as yet.

Meanwhile, County Mayor Adcock said during the budget committee meeting Tuesday night that the three judicial commissioners are requesting an increase in pay. The 2024-25 budget has a total of $44,700 for their salaries which comes to $14,900 for each of the three of them. He said they want their pay to go to $20,000 each.

Last fall, the county created a new courthouse security guard position. His pay (2025-26) as a full-time employee would be $37,440 or $49,039 with benefits included (social security, retirement, health insurance, unemployment, and Medicare)

A part time courthouse security guard position, also created last fall but yet to be filled, is budgeted in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

State required 3% pay raises to county officials are to be budgeted in 2025-26 as well as expected local increases due employees based on the county’s current wage scale formulas.

Meanwhile in his budget requests, Sheriff Ray explained that he is adding two deputy positions and an additional secretary to his operation in 2025-26 but has taken steps to minimize budgetary impact.

The following is the sheriff’s written proposal to the budget committee:

Budget Request:

“We are adding 2 deputies to the sheriff’s department and the 3% salary increases plus tier jumps. I have made deductions from the sheriff’s budget to try to offset expenses for the extra 2 deputy positions. We have also lost high tier deputies and detectives, so our salaries line item is less this year than last year. With the deductions from Sheriff’s Department budget line items and the pay decreases, I feel the impact of the extra 2 deputies along with the 3% increase in pay with the employee tier jumps will have a minimal impact to the budget,” said Sheriff Ray.

“We have two deputies on a swing shift now. By adding 2 more deputies, this will give us four deputies on a shift. The extra deputy on day and night shift will help with transports for the out of county inmates being housed in another jail, inmates who are transported to the State Penitentiary, doctors’ visits, transporting mental ill patients to mental hospitals, among other transports. Our current jail cannot hold serious offenders, female inmates or sex offenders. We have multiple transports almost every day. We also have multiple male and female inmates in the same jail who have court. This may take two trips for two inmates in that county. For an example, when we have a male and a female being housed in Bedford County, it takes 2 transport officers in separate vehicles because they cannot be transported together. This also happens when the same sex inmates have a dispute with another inmate and can’t be transported together. The way it is now, if we have a deputy off for medical or vacation time, we cannot do transports on a shift. We have to call in deputies for the transports resulting in overtime pay,” said Sheriff Ray.

Adding 1 secretary:

“This secretary will be responsible for finding where an inmate is to be housed (may have to call as many as 15 jails) and set up transport for inmate with a deputy,” explained Sheriff Ray. “Once a Jail is found for the inmate to be housed in, the secretary will be responsible for creating a “packet” to go with the inmate. That packet consists of booking information and medical information”.

“The secretary will be responsible to track each inmate who is housed outside of our county. This consists of attorney appointments, recovery court appointments, doctor’s appointments and court dates”.

“If the inmate has to go outside of the housing facility to the emergency room in that county, the secretary will arrange for a correctional officer to drive to the hospital in that county and sit with the inmate. If the inmate is in the hospital longer than the correctional officer’s shift, the secretary will then arrange for another correctional officer to relieve the one that is there. If the inmate causes trouble at the facility, that Jail may make us come and pick up the inmate and the secretary will arrange re-housing somewhere else. When the inmate has a doctor’s appointment, makes bond or has a court date, the secretary will then arrange for transportation back to our jail,” said Sheriff Ray.

“The secretary will be responsible for keeping up with outstanding medical bills and working with our healthcare company to get reductions on the bills and sending the bills to the County Mayor’s Office for payment. The secretary will also be responsible for collecting our inmate housing bills from other counties”.

“I have made deductions from the Jail’s Budget to try to offset expenses with the extra secretary position. We have also lost high tier correctional officers, so our salaries line item is less this year. One of the major cuts, is with the jail’s inmate food line item. The food item line cut is where our contract for feeding 85 inmates and over has gone down to 52 inmates because of the TCI bed count cut. That food cut alone was $103,000,” said Sheriff Ray.

Litter Funding:

“I asked for a continued contract for county litter pick up on DeKalb County roads,” Sheriff Ray continued.

“I currently have a five day a week litter pick up for DeKalb County roads. I also have a State Road contract for picking up litter on State Roads in DeKalb County 4 to 5 times throughout the year. This contact provides the Sheriff’s Department with an extra correctional officer while they are not picking up trash. I also take what money is left from the contract after the pay for the officer and pay for other things. One year we used this money to purchase a new litter truck. Last year and hopefully this year, the left-over money will be spent on our new shooting range we are building. We have been able to secure numerous grants and the left-over money from the State Litter Contract to pay for everything we have spent on the new range thus far,” he said.

The budget committee has not yet acted on requests made by Sheriff Ray or Election Administrator Estes.

The next meeting of the county budget committee will be Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. in the lower courtroom of the courthouse.

DeKalb West School has announced the Students of the Month for March. Named to the honor were Bryce Grisham, PreK; Madilynn Tipton, Kindergarten; Landon Fuson, 1st grade; Madeline Hamlet, 2nd grade; Tristen Lynn, 3rd grade; Marley Pyburn, 4th grade; Kalynn Lattimore, 5th grade; Bradi Turney, 6th grade; Alivia Deyoung, 7th grade; Mia Hall, 8th grade.

Two teachers of the month were chosen for March. Principal Sabrina Farler and Assistant Principal Cindy Snow presented the certificates to longtime 5th grade teacher Jeanna Caplinger and one of the school’s newest additions, music teacher Hannah Bratton.

It’s now official!

57-year-old Chris Tatrow will spend another three years in prison.

“After independently reviewing Chris Tatrow’s parole case following his review hearing held at Northwest Correctional Complex on April 8, 2025, the Board of Parole’s final decision was to decline parole due to the seriousness of the offense. His parole case will now be reviewed again in three years (April 2028). To improve chances of parole at his next hearing, the Board recommended Mr. Tatrow maintains positive institutional behavior and complete programming as recommended by his Strong R assessment,” said Dustin Krugel, Communications Officer for the Tennessee Board of Parole in a statement to WJLE Friday morning, April 11.

“Four concurring Board member votes were needed to reach a final decision. In this particular case, after independently reviewing and voting on this case, the Board eventually adopted Board member Gary Faulcon’s recommendation following the April 8 hearing,” said Krugel.

“The Board decides whether to grant or deny parole on a case-by-case basis by evaluating each inmate across a list of many different standards and criteria, including seriousness of the offense, time served, a risk/needs assessment, the offender’s institutional record, victim input, and the statements of the offender and other interested parties,” he added.

Tatrow is serving a life sentence for first degree murder in the 1995 DeKalb County murders of 26-year-old John Harry and 18-year-old Roger Zammit. He is incarcerated at the Northwest Correctional Complex (NWCX) in Lake County at Tiptonville, Tennessee.

(Click the link below to read details about the Chris Tatrow case in this 1998 Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruling)

CHRIS TATROW STORY

The DCHS tennis teams ended a week of away matches with sweeps over Smyrna and Upperman. The victory over Upperman was a district win, as both DeKalb teams are vying for a spot in the end-of-season district team tournament. The tournament begins April 24th and includes the top four teams with the most regular-season wins. With six matches remaining until the tournament, five are against district opponents, including Cookeville, Livingston, Cumberland County, Stone Memorial, and Warren County.

The boys’ team had three starters, Lance Duke, Ethan Brown, and Cameron Ramsey, absent from the team for an FBLA state conference for Tuesday’s Smyrna match. Sophomore Boston Cantrell and freshman Zane Starkey achieved their first-ever varsity victories. Starkey teamed with senior Luke Midgett in doubles, winning his #5 singles match. Cantrell earned the win in #4 singles. Head Coach Brian Cadle was proud of his younger players stepping up. “Bos and Zane represent the future of our program as we are losing three seniors after this season. It was exciting to see them gain invaluable experience and also lead our team to a road victory.”

Abby Joe Crook led the girls’ team this week with an undefeated 4-0 record in her singles and double matches. Kayce Hale, Crook’s doubles partner, went 3-1 for the week, with her only loss coming in singles against Upperman. Charlotte Paladino, the lone senior on the team, went 3-1 for the week, capped by two wins against Upperman on Thursday. Crook, a junior, and Hale, a sophomore, have been integral to helping the Lady Tigers achieve a four-match winning streak. “Abby Joe has shown tremendous growth in her mental game this season. She can now move past a bad shot or lost point during a match, which helps her focus forward thinking to winning.” Hale has emerged as a consistent contributor to the varsity team after beginning her playing career in the fall of 2023. “Kayce is a young lady who simply loves the game of tennis. She is an outstanding student and person who has committed hours upon hours of practice. I know that Kayce comes out to the courts with her parents at all hours to work on her game. She does not miss an opportunity to play tennis. Her dedication is paying off for her and our program.”

The Lady Tigers are now 7-3 in the season, and the Tigers have moved to 8-2. DeKalb travels to Cookeville High School on Monday to play two district matches against CHS and Livingston Academy.

Tabled!

The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night tabled action on a resolution to accept one-time teacher bonuses as part of Tennessee’s universal school voucher program.

The vote to table was 5 to 0 with members Jim Beshearse, Jason Miller, Alan Hayes, Danny Parkerson, and Chairman Shaun Tubbs voting together. Members Megan Moore and Eric Ervin were absent.

Tabling the measure doesn’t necessarily mean defeated. After the meeting Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said the measure could still be brought back up by the board later. He said in the meantime; the school district will run the numbers and determine if the bonuses could be funded locally in the 2025-26 budget

The state program uses public money to fund vouchers that families can spend on private education expenses. It also included a component that effectively gives educators $2,000 bonuses. While the program saw criticism from educators, advocates and some leaders across the state who said it moved money away from already-underfunded public schools, it passed the legislature during a special session in February.

As part of the program, school boards across the state need to pass a resolution effectively accepting the bonuses by June 1. The Tennessee Department of Education said the bonus payments are expected to be sent to districts in July, and for each bonus, districts will receive a total payment of $2,306.60 to cover the employer share of benefits.

The bonuses will be available to full-time teachers who spend most of their days with students and who have been employed for more than 120 days, according to the state.

During the public comment period, Beth Pafford, Assistant Principal at Northside Elementary School and County Commissioner addressed the Board of Education. She is an opponent of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”.

“You wouldn’t be having to pass a resolution to accept money for a $2,000 teacher bonus were it not for the universal voucher law,” said Pafford “What that law does is it creates a new government funded program for private schools. No accountability financially or academically. It was passed during a special session after several failed attempts during regular session. This time they added the $2,000 teacher bonus as a way to try to get more votes. For all practical purposes Governor Bill Lee and the people who voted to support the universal voucher program have created two separate systems for education. One for the privileged with no accountability and another for everybody else with all kinds of accountability. I hope you as a school board will continue to support the idea that education is not just for privileged people. Education is for everyone no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Pafford.

The proposed resolution, which has been tabled by the local school board, states as follows:

“Whereas the DeKalb County Board of Education is responsible for governing the public school system and ensuring the wellbeing of all students under its educational directives, and

Whereas, the DeKalb County Board of Education has consistently expressed opposition to school voucher programs and the redirection of taxpayer dollars intended for public education to private institutions, and

Whereas, despite widespread opposition from local education agencies (LEAs), the Tennessee School Boards Association, and many Tennessee residents, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” during the first Extraordinary Session of the 114th General Assembly, and

Whereas, the Act includes a provision granting a onetime payment of no less than $2,000 to public school teachers across the state, and

Whereas Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”, stipulates that a local board of education must formally affirm its intention to participate in order to receive the funds allocated for these teacher payments.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the DeKalb County Board of Education affirms its intention to participate in Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” for the sole purpose of securing these onetime payments for public school teachers. This resolution is strictly limited to Section 4 of the Act and should not be interpreted as endorsement or support of any other provisions within the legislation”.

Again, the DeKalb County Board of Education has tabled action on this resolution.

Meanwhile in his monthly personnel report, Director Cripps said Stephanie Turner has been granted a leave of absence as requested.

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.

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.