News
June 3, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
SRM Annexation Approved!
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Aldermen adopted a resolution to annex property belonging to Hollingshead Materials, LLC (Smyrna Ready Mix) at 746 East Broad Street bordering the city limits of Smithville. The action by the council taken at the owners request is for the annexation of two parcels including one where the SRM concrete batching company now operates (Map 065, Parcel 073.04) and the adjoining vacant property (Parcel 073.05). The land is situated between East Broad Street, Midway Road, and Terrell Road.
In March, the Smithville Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan of services for the proposed annexation which was later adopted by the Board of Aldermen and a public hearing was held prior to annexation last month.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs, a member of the planning commission, said the property qualifies for annexation.
“Our staff planner Tommy Lee did his due diligence in investigating the situation. He notified us that it (property) is within the city’s published and proposed urban growth area and meets all the requirements for annexation. The public works director and city engineer have also agreed that there are no problems as a result of the annexation of this property,” said Alderman Jacobs.
However, prior to the annexation vote, city property owner Steve Cantrell raised concerns during the public comment period.
The following are Cantrell’s remarks:
“I am strongly in favor of the City of Smithville’s growth, but only if it is smart growth. In this light, I am very pleased that in addition to the “Smithville Tennessee Land Use and Transportation Policy Plan for 2010-2030, many in city government and the public are now aware of Smithville’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Map thanks to publication on WJLE”.
“Again, my focus is on Smart Growth and ensuring taxpayers know our way ahead”.
“In that light, the city appears to have the infrastructure to handle some growth; however, our infrastructure is aging and will most likely require expansion in the future. Without expansion, developmental growth such as housing will most likely have to slow down or completely stop until funding may be acquired. When the city has required additional funds, other than through grants, the answer has usually been taxes. Something both the city and county residents are very sensitive to now with the county’s increase in taxes twice in two years”.
“I propose an alternative. The city should look at developing a fee structure for new city homes and/or structures resulting from new developments. The fees collected would go into a city fund for future expanded sewer and water infrastructure”,
“Once collected, the funds could grow through interest; and then, could be complemented by Tennessee or Federal grants in the future, But what should not happen is for the taxpayers of Smithville to be surprised with a major tax increase not of their making, but from City approved developmental growth”.
“As far as annexing properties, if, and when, the city annexes a property, they are grandfathering that property into the city “as is”
“However, prior to approving an annexing request, the city has leverage with the property owner. The city should inspect the property to ensure it completely meets all city code requirements”.
“For example, the Hollingshead Materials, LLC annexation may be approved tonight. However, the property currently appears to have drainage challenges in the back of its building as reflected by these three pictures (shown to the mayor and aldermen) taken from a public road”.
“The problem appears to be the result of the construction of their cement operation, which may have interfered with normal drainage. In addition, this appears to have impacted the lower part of the building”.
“I recommend, not only for this property, but any property requesting annexation into the city, that it be inspected to ensure it is within city code requirements. If it is not, then postpone annexation until violations or concerns have been addressed to the city’s satisfaction. Now, this property may in fact be fine, but do we know for sure?”
“Once annexed into the city, you have grandfathered any outstanding issues”
“Again, my focus is on smart growth for the City of Smithville,” said Cantrell.
In other business, the aldermen adopted a resolution establishing a plan of services as recommended by the planning commission and scheduled a public hearing for July 1 on the proposed annexation of a parcel located at 640 East Broad Street by the owner’s request, Lou Ann White. According to city officials, White wants this parcel to be in the city limits adjoining another she owns which is already in the city. Any final action on the request in August would not come until after a public hearing in July.
Meanwhile, upon a recommendation by the planning commission, the aldermen adopted an ordinance on first reading to rezone a parcel of property (0.6 acres) belonging to Josh Hawkins at 885 Foster Road across from Calvary Baptist Church from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to R-2 (High Density Residential). Hawkins wants to build a duplex on the property, part of which is in the county. A public hearing will be held prior to second and final reading passage in July.
The aldermen further adopted an ordinance on first reading, upon the recommendation of the planning commission to rezone a parcel of property (behind Wilson Bank & Trust and Tractor Supply) located on West Main Street from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to C-1 (General Commercial) at the request of owner Mark Hart who wants to build a salon for his daughter. While land around the Hart location is currently zoned R-1, city officials said the property across the street is all zoned C-1. A public hearing will be held prior to second and final reading passage in July.
Because of the Independence holiday and the Fiddlers Jamboree, the July monthly meeting of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will be held on Tuesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at city hall instead of the regular meeting night on Monday, July 7.
New City Budget Approved with Higher Water and Sewer Rates and Salary Increases
June 3, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Property tax rates for City of Smithville landowners will not be going up this year, but water and sewer rates will be raised by 4% in order to keep utility revenues ahead of expenses, per state requirement.
During the regular monthly meeting Monday night, the Mayor and Aldermen following a public hearing adopted on second and final reading a budget ordinance for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The city property tax rate is 0.7523 cents per $100 of assessed value and it is expected to generate $1,230,000 in local revenue. Actual city property tax collections for the year ending 2023-24 were $1,217,281.
The new rates for city water customers will be $8.59 per thousand gallons of usage (up from the current rate of $8.26 per thousand). Rates for customers outside the city limits will be $12.88 per thousand (up from the current rate of $12.38 per thousand. City sewer customers will pay $8.00 per thousand (up from the current rate of $7.69 per thousand).
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 running at a loss in the water and sewer fund. According to the budget the city finished the 2023-24-year June 30 on the plus side by $530,625 but is projected to be only $2,914 to the good by the end of the 2025-26 year on June 30.
The new budget includes a 3% pay raise for hourly city and salaried employees with a few exceptions (noted below). Those with up to four years of service would get a step raise due them on their employment anniversary date along with the 3% increase. The total regular base pay for all city employees combined in 2025-26 will be $3,081,525, up by $169,567 from $2,911,958 in 2024-25.
According to the budget, the salaries of the following city department heads and employees will be as follows (regular pay not including benefits) in 2025-26:
City Administrator: $90,000, up from $85,840 in 2024-25
Public Works Director: $74,000 up from $70,008
Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO): $74,000, up from $66,950
Golf Manager: $42,000 up from $38,192
Lead Operator in Water & Sewer Maintenance (same employee with new title): $26.32 per hour with CDL, up from $23.64 per hour with CDL.
Parks employee: (same employee going from part time to full time): $19.07 per hour, up from $17.52 per hour.
Also included in the proposed new budget is $4,000 to increase the longevity pay of volunteer firefighters as follows: 5 to 10 years of service- $250; 10 to 15 years of service-$500, and over 15 years of service-$750. Total budgeted payment to volunteer firefighters-$70,000.
Not included in the budget is the proposed purchase of a $1.2 million Pierce fire engine as requested by the fire chief nor the three additional full-time (career) firefighter positions he wanted.
Projected general fund expenditures for 2025-26 are to exceed revenues by $250,970. A year ago, the budget showed that actual city spending outpaced revenues by $795,688 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
In the water and sewer fund, the city is projected to finish next year (2025-26) in the plus column by only $2,914. A year ago, actual water and sewer revenues exceeded expenditures by $530,625 as of June 30, 2024.
The 2025-26 budget includes the following in new spending:
CAPITAL OUTLAY:
*Public Works: mower trailer-$5,000; steam cleaner-$5,000; backhoe thumb kit-$5,300 (funded 50% from the general fund or $2,650 and 50% from the water and sewer budget $2,650)
*Fire Protection: 2 tri band filters for radios-$7,000; 10 batteries for radios-$3,800; training site equipment-$15,000; loose fire equipment-$25,000; new hydrants-$50,000
*Street Department: Paving-$100,000
Police Department: 2025 Tahoe-$52,143, 2025 Tahoe equipment-$8,554; 2025 Durango-$45,060, 2025 Durango equipment-$10,925, and tasers-$58,592.
*Financial Administration: G-5 software upgrade- $27,600 (funded 50% from the general fund or $13,800 and 50% from the water and sewer fund $13,800); backhoe thumb kit-$5,300 (funded 50% from the general fund or $2,650 and 50% from the water and sewer budget $2,650)
WATER AND SEWER FUND FIXED ASSET ADDITIONS:
*Fixed Asset additions: wastewater treatment plant air piping project- $130,000; G-5 software upgrade-$27,600 (funded 50% from the general fund or $13,800 and 50% from the water and sewer fund $13,800).
Miss Jamboree Pageants June 14
June 3, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The 2025 Miss Jamboree Pageants are set for Saturday, June 14 at the DeKalb County Complex starting at 9:00 a.m. and is a fundraiser for the Last-Minute Toy Shop.
15-year-old Karah Jo Ford, daughter of Hector-O-Roscoe and Amanda Ford of Smithville, was crowned the 2024 Miss Jamboree Queen in the age 14-16 category.
All Tennessee girls, babies, toddlers along with single, married, and senior ladies may enter by June 6th.
The entry fee is $25.00 per contestant. A People’s Choice Award will also be given in each category and there are optional awards of prettiest eyes, hair, attire, smile, and photogenic. The entry fee for optionals is $5.00 in each category. All winners in the 13-15, and 16-18 age groups are required to be present during the Fiddlers Jamboree July 4 & 5 to help distribute trophies, flyers, etc.
Age groups are as follows:
Boys and girls- one day to 6 months
Boys and girls- 7-12 months
Boys and girls-13-24 months
Boys and girls-25-48 months
Girls-4-6 years
Girls-7-9 years
Girls-10-12 years
Girls- 13-15 years
Girls-16-18 years
Ladies 19-49 years single
Ladies-19-49 years married
Ladies-50 and older senior
Include on the entry form, name and age of contestant, complete address and phone number, parents or guardians’ names, and note “I love the Jamboree Because”.
Pay via Venmo or mail check/money order to Last Minute Toy Shop 3385 New Home Road, Smithville 37166.
