DeKalb – One of 15 TN Counties with Increased Tourism Dollars in 2020

October 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

According to the recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics, only 15 of the 95 Tennessee counties experienced an increase in travel spending in 2020. DeKalb County was one of those counties with a 3.7% increase and another record-breaking number of visitors.

Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says she was hopeful that DeKalb’s abundant outdoor activities would keep visitors coming even with the 2020 pandemic and was thrilled and relieved to receive the good news from the Governor’s office.

Tennessee tourism generated $16.8 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2020, a 31.6 percent decline from the previous year. Travel in Tennessee generated nearly 150,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue. Despite the impact of COVID-19, efforts to promote outdoor travel opportunities helped Tennessee outperform the national average decline of 42 percent.

“Tourism is a vital part of our state’s strong economic recovery,” said Gov. Lee. “By working together to support small businesses and drive job growth, we will ensure Tennessee continues to be one of the top travel destinations in the world.”

“Tennessee’s scenic beauty, strong outdoor assets and compelling rural and road trip destinations gave it an edge against other states,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Department of Tourist Development. “We’ve seen parts of our state not only survive, but also thrive.”

Edgar Evins State Park reported a record-breaking number of visitors in 2020 as did the paddle craft industry. Suzanne Williams commented, “So, even though COVID prevented us from having an in-person 2020 Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and many local businesses having to close for an extended time, DeKalb County is so blessed to have areas like Center Hill Lake, the Caney Fork River, and Edgar Evins State Park where people could visit, social distance, and feel safe. Whether folks were looking for a place to relax, hike, fish, kayak, or any other water sport, DeKalb County was able to meet traveling needs with our beautiful natural resources.”

October 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Funding will soon be in place to purchase a splash pad for Green Brook Park.

During a brief special called meeting Monday night, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen adopted a budget amendment on first reading authorizing an expenditure of up to $173,000 for a 2,400 square foot splash pad and $7,000 for purchase of software and related costs to offer online payment of city property taxes. Second and final reading will be scheduled at the regular monthly meeting Monday night, November 1 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The money for both projects will be taken from the city’s unreserved fund balance.

The city has received proposals from two companies that sell and install splash pads. One of the companies is Great Southern Recreation of Chattanooga which has submitted a price of $170,967 . The other company is Aquatix of Cookeville and their price is $172,976.

The mayor and aldermen have not yet selected which company with whom to do business.

The city has applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant through the Upper Cumberland Development District which, if approved, would provide up to $50,000 for the splash pad project.

A splash pad provides kids a recreation area for water play. City officials hope to have the splash pad ready for use by next spring or summer.

Meanwhile, Mayor Josh Miller said the software for online payment of city property taxes will be a great service to city landowners. The software will also provide the ability for realtors and others to research property tax information on city properties.

October 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The county’s three judicial commissioners have been reappointed for another year.

The county commission, on a 10-1 vote, took that action during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting. Seventh district commissioner Bruce Malone was the lone no vote.

Tammy Ashburn, Joy Whitman, and David Gash currently serve as the judicial commissioners for the county and their terms are for one year.

Duties of the Judicial commissioners include processing the following: Criminal summons for the general public; Orders of protections; signing all arrest warrants for the Smithville, Alexandria, and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Edgar Evins State Park Rangers, and TWRA Officers; signing search warrants and search warrants for blood draws; signing Mittimus; setting bonds; speaking with every person who has been arrested; answering any and all calls from the public; and attending certification classes three days each year with no pay for hours attended.

Judicial Commissioners are subject to call at all hours of the day and night when on duty. Only one judicial commissioner works at a time during a one week period on call for 168 hours. They rotate their weeks one week on duty and two weeks off.

The county commission has the sole authority in appointing judicial commissioners and terms may be from one to four years according to state law. For several years the county has had a judicial committee to vet and recommend applicants for appointment to the county commission.

Last fall seventh district county commissioner Bruce Malone asked county attorney Hilton Conger if there was any statutory authority for the county to have a judicial committee to recommend judicial commissioner appointments.

During last Thursday night’s committee of the whole meeting of the county commission, Conger said he had done the research and discovered that there is no statutory authority but that if the county commission chooses a judicial committee could still serve as an adhoc committee and continue to make recommendations on appointments to the county. If so the county commission would have to re-establish the committee since it was not included among the standing committees named when new policies and procedures of the commission were established months ago. If the judicial committee is re-established by the commission as an adhoc committee (for one purpose only) the county mayor would appoint members to serve on it according to the county’s policies and procedures. If the judicial committee is not re-established the county commission could simply re-appoint the judicial commissioners already serving or take on the role themselves of vetting applicants before making appointments.

Commissioner Malone said Monday night that while he favored reappointing Ashburn, Gash, and Whitman in the interim, he wanted to county to go through the process of interviewing and vetting applicants for the judicial commissioner positions to guard against a possible legal challenge in the future from some criminal defense attorney who might claim that the county did not follow proper procedures in making the appointments.

“I would like to see us maybe let these people who are on there serve temporarily until you (county mayor) or us (county commission) appoint a committee and let this committee interview people and properly vet them and then let the commission as a whole certify them. I don’t want us to take the easy way out. I think it needs to be done properly,” said Commissioner Malone.

In response, County Mayor Stribling said the county has always followed a procedure in vetting candidates.

“Every time we have needed a judicial commissioner there has been an advertisement put in the paper and we have taken applications (for judicial commissioners). We took applications for the ones that are now serving. I don’t think this process was not done properly. These people were advertised for. They did submit applications and they were interviewed and presented to the county commission (when they were previously appointed),” said County Mayor Stribling.