County Mayor Tries to Ease Public Concerns Over Talk of Criminal Justice Center and Wheel Tax (View Video Here)

September 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Not yet!

Whether or not the county commission will commit to building a new jail, criminal justice center, or new school has not been determined and may not be for some time. Neither has the commission had any serious discussions on how those projects would be funded, whether it be a higher property tax rate or a wheel tax.

County Mayor Matt Adcock and members of the county commission wanted to clear the air on that subject Monday night, September 25 during their regular monthly meeting after some angry public reaction to a discussion during last week’s jail committee meeting in which Adcock informed the commission for the first time about a 38-acre site in Smithville he identified as a possible desirable location for a building project, possibly for a criminal justice center.

During the jail committee meeting last week, Adcock said he had contacted the owner of the property, Peggy Hayes and she was willing to talk about selling the land, but she wanted the county to make an offer. During last night’s county commission meeting, September 25, County Mayor Adcock proposed, and the county commission adopted a budget amendment in the amount of $3,500 to have a commercial appraisal of the Hayes property as the county continues to explore its options.

The Hayes property, which is currently open farmland once owned by Hayes’ father the late Rex Hayes, is situated in the heart of Smithville in the area off West Broad Street and behind Anthony Avenue, Morgan Drive, and Short Street near the housing projects in the vicinity of Walmart.

After consulting with officials of Bell Construction recently, Adcock recommended to the jail committee that if the county were to build a criminal justice center that the facility be made to accommodate four courtrooms, sheriff’s department, and a jail with 225 beds. He said the turnkey project, estimated at over $50 million, could be scaled down if necessary.

Although the Hayes property was the one he discussed most at the jail committee meeting last week, County Mayor Adcock said other locations might also be available for the county to consider purchasing.

For example, Adcock said he also had the idea of the county possibly working out a deal with the board of education to build a new elementary school on the property the board acquired in 2020 near Northside Elementary School, repurposing the existing Smithville Elementary School building for a criminal justice center, while building a new jail behind it on the same property. Again, Adcock said he had Bell Construction look at that option and they came to the same conclusion that such a facility would cost the county about $50 million to build, not counting the estimated $46 million to build the new school.

Almost a year ago, the county commission was shown plans for a proposed new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace the existing Smithville Elementary complex that in August housed 550 students, down by 31 students from August 2022. The joint meeting between the County Commission, Board of Education, County Mayor, Director of Schools, and Upland Design Group of Crossville, the Architect of the project was held in an informal work session in October, 2022 at the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center. An updated rendering, schematic site, and floor plan were unveiled as to what a new Smithville Elementary School campus would look like, and representatives of Upland Design took questions from the commissioners. Although the Board of Education has settled on the plan, there has been no further movement since last fall by the school board or the county commission to proceed with the project, mainly some say because of the economic climate and higher construction costs today. In 2020, the board of education purchased 24.5 acres of property on North Congress Boulevard near Northside Elementary School for construction of a new elementary school. The price paid was $18,000 per acre for a total of $441,000.

If the county were to initiate any significant building project, jail, justice center, and or school, Adcock said it would need a sufficient revenue stream to pay for it which the county apparently currently does not have in place. Thus, talk by Adcock about a possible wheel tax last week, which again is not up for consideration by the county commission at this time.

All discussions on this subject (building and funding plan) remain very preliminary, according to County Mayor Adcock, but he said plans have to be considered given the dilemma the county is facing with the jail in particular after the Tennessee Corrections Institute recently decertified 50 of the DeKalb County Jail’s 102 beds that were being used to house male and female prisoners. According to TCI standards, the jail can now house no more than 52 inmates (16 females and 36 males) to remain certified by the state and none of the prisoners can be kept in the basement of the older portion of the jail building. Since that decertification move by TCI, Sheriff Patrick Ray has had to find other county jails to house many of DeKalb County’s prisoners, mostly the females and the cost of that is running up to $55 a day per prisoner, which over a year’s time could cost the county as much as $500,000 according to County Mayor Adcock. Because of that fact alone, Adcock said the county cannot afford to do nothing regarding the jail.

“We want to maybe look at building a facility, but the county commission has not made a decision on what they want to do yet as far as a criminal justice center, new jail, or even doing the project at all. It is still in the very preliminary stages,” said County Mayor Adcock Monday night. “There was some talk about a way to fund the project and the commission has done well in doing their due diligence into looking at every solution out there. I have talked with them about a wheel tax or property tax to see what the best for the citizens of DeKalb County (in funding a project) would be, but no decisions have been made at this time,” Adcock continued.

“We did look at one piece of property (Hayes property) just because the property owner had reached back out to me,” Adcock explained. “That is the only reason we looked at that one certain property at our jail committee meeting last week. That too is not certain. We don’t yet know where we are going to build the facility if we do build the facility, we are looking at multiple lots all throughout the city limits as well as every single option and revenue source”.

Putting inmates over school children is not the right decision, according to Anita Puckett, who addressed the county commission on this subject during the public comment period Monday night.

“I was selected to be part of the committee formed to rectify the many issues with the jail back in 2019. The commission knew if something was not done soon, the state would be involved. My concerns are that with the delay in movement on a new facility, the state will come in and tell DeKalb County what to building,” said Puckett, who is native and taxpayer of DeKalb County, mother, grandmother, a longtime educator, former 5th district county commissioner, and now Smithville Elementary School Principal.

“I am here tonight to plead with the commission to reconsider action on the proposed new school construction that was presented back in October, 2022,” said Puckett. “The architectural plans have been submitted, the land paid for and TDOT traffic studies completed. The thought of $50 million being spent on 85 inmates for a justice center as opposed to $50 million to be spent on 525 students is appalling. The students of DeKalb, the future of our county deserve to be regarded with our utmost importance,” she said.

“As a commissioner, I had shared my thoughts on the repurposing of Smithville Elementary School after a new elementary school was constructed. The school’s site is in a perfect location within the city limits. The land is paid for, the grounds are large enough for future expansion. It offers a fully functioning cafeteria, a gymnasium, outside recreation area and library if desired. The front of the building will need to be completely remodeled for a more desirable office space for the Sheriff. The idea that Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin would join a justice center would be ideal. Instead of purchasing new properties, I ask the commission to be wise and reconsider the construction of a new school with the intention to repurpose the existing Smithville Elementary School for a Justice Center. Again, I stress the thoughts of $50 million being spent on 85 inmates for a justice center as opposed to $50 million to be spent on 525 students is simply appalling,” said Puckett.

In February, 2020 Puckett was among 10 county commissioners who voted against the Board of Education’s proposal at that time for a multi pre-K to 8 school construction project. The commissioners opposed to the project said it was something the county could not afford long term and still be able to fund other future needs. The DeKalb County Commission at that time followed the budget committee’s recommendation to deny the Board’s request for a minimum of $48,685,000. The move forced the school board to change its plans to what eventually became the current proposal for a pre-k to 2 school.

“I totally agree with her (Puckett) in that we are putting inmates in front of our children, and we just can’t do that” said Terry Bailey of West Broad Street who also addressed the commission during the public comment period. “We are also looking at 38 acres and that is ridiculous for a justice center or a jail. The City of Lebanon has a Wilson County Jail and seven and a half acres and justice center and 455 beds. They (Wilson County) have a population of 150,000. We (DeKalb County) have a population of 20,000. There is no reason to have that size of a facility and use that land for a justice center that could be developed into housing. I think a school is an excellent idea but there is also land around the jail. I would also like to see what could be done with the existing jail. If offices or facilities could be moved to the basement, the upstairs could be turned into jail cells. $55 million dollars with a 30-year mortgage? Come on! We can’t afford that. Something has to be done,” said Bailey.

In response to Puckett and Bailey, County Mayor Adcock said “the county commission has never said it would buy 38 acres. We were looking at a piece of property that happened to be 38 acres. We did mention that it would be a good future investment if we had the additional revenue to have a large piece of land that you could build things on for the next 50 to 100 years whether it be future libraries, health departments, etc. but we never did make a decision on where we were building, what location. We have talked about building on South Mountain Street, the 38 acres of the Hayes property, and property the city industrial board owns, but no decisions have been set in stone anywhere, and not even on whether we will build a criminal justice center. We’re not even saying we would build one before we built a school,” said Adcock.

“I don’t think anybody here would pick inmates over children,” County Mayor Adcock continued. “That’s not something anybody would want to do but the state has told us that if we do not build something (jail) that there will be actions taken on us later where the federal government will come in and tell us what to build and how to build it and if that were to happen it could be $80 million when they get done with it. This commission has a lot of responsibility placed on their shoulders and it weighs on them every night like I know it weighs on me. Unfortunately we are stuck in a situation where the state has their finger down on us. Some people have said don’t listen to the state. Don’t do what they tell you to do. That’s how you get in trouble. I don’t want us spending more money in the long run when we might save money now (short term) by building a smaller size than what we need. Again this is all preliminary. Nobody is saying we are going to do a wheel tax or higher property tax. No one is saying we are going to build a jail or criminal justice center right now. I know a lot of people have become passionate about this and they should be but we all feel that same passion and we are here to make the most sound, responsible, educated decisions that we can,” said County Mayor Adcock.

September 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a car on Highway 70 at Liberty Saturday night.

According to Trooper Brandon Duvall of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 27-year-old Zachary Allen Williams of Liberty was crossing the highway near his home when he was struck by a westbound 2023 black Chevy Corvette, driven by Christopher Joseph Peercy of Murfreesboro.

Peercy tried unsuccessfully to avoid hitting Williams as he (Williams) attempted to jump out of the way of the car.

Williams was airlifted from near the scene to Vanderbilt Hospital. Peercy was not hurt. No charges have been filed.

September 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

When Janice Plemmons-Jackson steps aside as the city’s Certified Municipal Financial Officer, she will sadly be leaving a lot of friends behind but taking with her 34 years of special memories.

The city’s longtime friend and consultant recently announced plans to resign and her last day on the job is this week.

“Even though I am choosing to leave, I am sad to say goodbye because I have friends here. We have worked together for lots of years. It’s been a good team,” said Janice in a recent interview with WJLE.

Although she will no longer be the city’s CMFO, Janice said she will continue her own full time CPA practice, Plemmons-Jackson & Cabaniss PLLC in Crossville where she resides and be available for some occasional consultation to the city on a limited basis if needed.

Janice began working with the city in 1989 under CPA Grady Taylor, who was at that time the city’s independent auditor.

A native of Coffee County, Janice explained how the career path she chose eventually led her to Smithville.

“I grew up in Coffee County and went to high school there where I graduated in 1973,” said Janice. “From there I went to college at Lipscomb University and graduated and then moved to Cleveland Ohio and got an accounting job with a regional firm in downtown Cleveland. I was the first female they had on their accounting staff. That was a big change for a country girl from Tennessee. I worked there for a few years and did mainly auditing. I had to do audits during the winter months and came in and did taxes on Saturdays to help out,” she continued.

“After my husband took a job back in Tennessee I left my job in Ohio and we came to a little town called Centerville. I went to work for a small country CPA firm in Hohenwald. I eventually ended up buying out that practice and ran it for a few years until I moved to Fairfield Glade in Crossville. It was there I met Grady Taylor who had his own CPA practice and needed help so I began working with him. Eventually we became partners and worked together for several years and that’s when I became involved in working with Smithville,” Janice explained.

“I had never done any governmental work before that but he (Taylor) had done several audits for different cities so I learned about governmental auditing and governmental accounting which is a little different than normal accounting. Of course, you have to take continuing education as a CPA if you are doing audits so I learned the skills through the years. Grady was their (City of Smithville’s) primary contact. He was from here (Smithville) and he had the relationships with the (mayor and aldermen) board. I didn’t attend board meetings then. For me it was more just come in and do the audit procedures, look at invoices, ask questions, just more verification type things to make sure everything was in order”.

“Grady and I later split the firm. I went on my way and he went on his way. Grady did not wish to continue doing the audit work so I was given the opportunity to work with Smithville. The board (mayor and aldermen) wanted me to take the position so I continued doing audit work for several years as auditor”, she said.

As times and accounting laws changed, so did Janice’s role with the city going from auditor to financial advisor.

“The accounting world changed. The new standards said you (independent auditors) could not do any bookkeeping or assistance for them (cities) because you couldn’t audit your own work. When the standards changed, the management (mayor and aldermen) here then decided they preferred me to be a consultant rather than auditor and I was happy to do that. It was a more comfortable role for me because I have always tried to be a helper and teach people and not just say ‘oh you have to do this’ but explain why. Of course, when you work with a client for a long time, you learn their history and you know the people and you can help advise them better,” explained Janice.

Rather than continue her association as a contracted professional service, in 2012 the City hired Janice to become a city employee as financial consultant and then contracted with Hendersonville CPA John Poole to carry on as the city’s independent auditor.

“After the state comptroller’s office created this Certified Municipal Financial Officer (CMFO) position, cities were allowed to have their own employees go through the training and undergo the tests required to become a CMFO or they could have a CPA serve as their CMFO as long as they had the governmental experience because this role is different than just working with accounting rules. The comptroller’s office basically said cities of certain sizes needed to have an employee as CMFO or CPA to attend meetings with the board (mayor and aldermen) to give financial advice,” said Janice.

As she found it in 1989, Plemmons-Jackson said the city today remains financially sound.

“I have told them (mayor and aldermen) they are probably one of the better cities from a financial position than anybody I would match them with as far as fiscal responsibility. They have spent money from time to time when they had a need (one-time expenditures) but they try not to go deep in the hole with the budget and overspend regularly. Operationally you never want to spend more than you are bringing in,” she said.

Although she has never put down roots here, Janice said Smithville feels like home and she will miss the friends she had made.

“I know Smithville better than I do my own city (Crossville). I’ll have to come back over for the Jamboree and other events and activities from time to time. I won’t lose total touch,” added Janice.

During the September 11 regular monthly meeting, Janice was presented an award from Mayor Josh Miller on behalf of himself and the Aldermen in recognition of her three plus decades of service.

In presenting the award, Mayor Miller read the message imprinted on it.

“There are not enough words to express the appreciation for your 30 plus years of dedicated service to the City of Smithville. You went far above and beyond the duties as a CMFO. Not only were you an employee, but you were also a friend to us all. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the City of Smithville.”

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to have worked with all of you. We have spent a lot of time together through the years and I have loved that you all have worked together and have had the best ideas for what is good for the city and that has made my job easy, and I appreciate that. I couldn’t have done this with just anybody, but you have been great to work with and I thank you very much”, said Janice.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Janice for the last 16 years,” said City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson. “She has been more valuable to the city than most will ever know”.