Candidate Update

January 12, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Election Commission this week issued more qualifying petitions for this year’s elections.

Jerry Wayne Johnson obtained a petition to seek re-election to the school board in the 2nd district in the General Election on August 2

Derek Johnson picked up a petition to run for Alderman in Liberty August 2

William H. Reynolds was also issued a petition to run for Alderman in Liberty August 2. He is an incumbent seeking re-election.

Meanwhile, Myron Rhody picked up a petition to run for the county commission in the 2nd district in the May 1 Democratic Primary.

Bradley Hendrix has filed his petition to run for county mayor in the Democratic Primary on May 1

Jeff Barnes has also filed his petition to run for county commissioner in the 6th district in the Democratic Primary on May 1. He is an incumbent seeking re-election.

January 12, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville began using its new automated side loader garbage truck last summer but still some residents are not complying with instructions on how to properly place their assigned 96 gallon garbage cans by the side of the streets for trash pickup.

According to City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson, some residents are setting their garbage cans sideways or backwards. Be sure to look at the lid on your garbage can and place the container toward the street as indicated by the “arrow” on the lid.

“A lot of people are setting the trash cans sideways or backwards. The cans need to be set by the streets the correct way for our trash service to be able to pick up the trash properly,” said Robinson.

Overfilled garbage cans are also causing problems. “When you overfill the trash can and the automated arm picks it up, the trash tends to come out of the can and litter the ground. We ( garbage truck drivers) can’t get out and pick that up,” Robinson said.

In September, the aldermen adopted on final reading an ordinance establishing general standards for the new service and the city mailed residents and business owners written copies of the garbage collection regulations that they must follow.

Those not following the rules as provided to them by the city may soon lose their garbage pickup service until they get it right.

“In the next week or two, if your trash is not set out correctly, the city will not pick it up until you comply. You will be forced to haul it off yourself,” Robinson concluded.

January 12, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

County officials here and across the state are getting a pay raise this year.

Compensation for most county officials is governed by state law which establishes the minimum for Assessors of Property, County Clerks, Clerks of Court, Trustees, Registers of Deeds, County Mayors, Sheriffs, and Highway Officials. This law provides for an automatic increase in the minimum salary each year based on the percentage increase given to state employees for the previous fiscal year. The state commissioner of finance and administration certified on October 19, 2017, that state employees received an average increase of 4.66 percent for the fiscal year 2018-2019.

The salaries of the county officials are partly based on the population class of the county and the office. Not all office holders earn the same amount of pay.

Under state law:

• The County Mayor’s compensation shall be at least 5% higher than the salary paid to any other county constitutional officer.
• The Sheriff’s salary shall be at least 10% higher than the salary paid to the general officers of the county.
• The Road Supervisor’s compensation shall be at least 10% higher than the salary paid to the general officers of the county.
• The salary of the General Sessions Judge is to be increased annually in the same manner as state court judges, which is the actual percentage change in the consumer price index between the two previous calendar years. The CPI change between 2017 and 2018 has not been calculated at this time. When released, the increase in salary of the general sessions court judges will be updated for the coming fiscal year.
• The Administrator of Elections salary is 90% of the base salary of the Assessor of Property.

The new salary schedule as set by the state for DeKalb County effective July 1 is as follows:

• General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge: Currently $92,158 per year (To be updated later)
• County Mayor: $83,238 per year, up from $79,326.
• Road Supervisor: $79,276, up from $75,550
• Sheriff: $79,276, up from $75,550
• Trustee: $72,069, up from $68,682
• County Clerk: $72,069, up from $68,682
• Circuit Court Clerk: $72,069, up from $68,682
• Clerk and Master: $72,069, up from $68,682
• Register of Deeds: $72,069, up from $68,682
• Assessor of Property: $72,069, up from $68,682
• Administrator of Elections: $64,862, up from $61,633