(UPDATED) It Has Happened Again

July 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

It has happened again!

An accident occurred Monday morning on Broad Street as an eastbound International semi and trailer, driven by 60 year old Ronald Moon of Crossville, went under the South College Street (Veterans Memorial) bridge while hauling a New Holland tractor and bush hog. The extended arm and box blade of the bush hog apparently hit the underside of the bridge causing some minor damage to the structure. No one was injured but the eastbound traffic was diverted by Smithville Police during the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s investigation. The Smithville Fire Department and City Public Works Department were also on the scene along with Tennessee Department of Transportation workers. The truck was not harmed but the tractor and bush hog were damaged in the crash. A 16 year old boy was a passenger of the truck.

This is at least the third time within the last five years that the bridge has been hit by a truck hauling vehicles or equipment passing underneath.

July 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Get ready to save! There are three sales tax holidays in 2021.

The Tennessee General Assembly approved two new one-time holidays for this year, in addition to the traditional sales tax holiday that takes place annually. During these holiday periods, Tennesseans can save nearly 10 percent on qualifying items.

“We are proud to return money to hardworking Tennesseans,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of these savings.”

“We’re happy to help Tennesseans save money and provide some tax relief,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.

The details of the sales tax holidays are:

Clothing, School Supplies, and Computers: Friday, July 30 – Sunday, August 1, 2021: During this weekend holiday, clothing priced under $100, school supplies priced under $100, and computers priced under $1500 are exempt from sales tax. Online purchases are included.

Food, Food Ingredients, and Prepared Food: Friday, July 30 – Thursday, August 5, 2021: During this week-long holiday, food, food ingredients, and prepared food are exempt from sales tax. This includes qualified sales of food and prepared food at grocery stores, restaurants, and food trucks. Takeout food is included in the holiday; however, alcoholic beverages are not included.

Gun Safes and Safety Equipment, July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022: During this holiday, which lasts an entire fiscal year, gun safes and specified gun safety devices sold at retail are exempt from sales tax.

Learn more information about the three sales tax holidays by visiting www.tntaxholiday.com . You can also email revenue.support@tn.gov or call 615-253-0600 with any questions.

July 26, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Revenue collections in the County Clerk’s Office are trending upward.

In his annual report, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss said this past fiscal year which ended June 30, 2021 proved to be another productive one.

“Motor vehicle transactions alone increased by 3,634 from 2019 to 2021 going from 23,135 in 2019 to 26,118 in 2020 and 26,769 through June 30, 2021,” said County Clerk Poss.

“For the past five years revenue collections have maintained consistent growth. In 2016 annual receipts were $1,407,473.80; 2017 – $1,621,099.18; 2018 -$1,779,622.48; 2019 – $1,834,038.60; 2020 $1,928,076.43 ; and we receipted $2,530,491.36 through the end of the 2021 fiscal year,” reported Poss.

Excess fees also grew. In 2019 $173,711.02 was deposited and that jumped to $183,915.29 In 2020 and to $227,701.06 through June 30, 2021.

Over the last eight years, title production numbers have increased significantly. According to County Clerk Poss, a total of 2,897 titles were issued locally in 2013 but by 2015 the number almost doubled to 5,589 and reached an average for 2017, 2018 & 2019 of 6,104 titles. We saw an increase in 2020 to 6,686 and the number of new titles issued jumped again through June 30, 2021 closing the fiscal year at 7,237. We now consistently print more than double the titles annually from eight years ago,” said Poss.

The Driver License/ID Renewal Kiosk has also become a popular service with the public.

“During my first year in office and second year of the Kiosk in 2014, DeKalb County completed only 502 transactions but by 2019 that number had grown to 3,340. Although this machine is designed to be for self-service use, a majority of the transactions require assistance for patrons to successfully complete the process and we are glad to help. The machine itself also requires frequent updates and maintenance from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to keep it in proper working order,” said County Clerk Poss.

While revenue is important, Poss said so is service and he and his staff strive to deliver a variety of accommodations to the public.

“As a courtesy, our office provides multiple services daily without receiving additional fees. Simply meaning the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office receives no payment or office fees for providing a number of services such as completing particular tasks at the kiosk, computer assistance completing driver license reinstatement payments, fines and handgun carry renewals, obtaining FEIN numbers, filing 2290 forms required for federal heavy vehicle use tax on all plates exceeding 55,000 pounds, filing and paying business tax renewals, and monthly filing and paying sales and use taxes. These and various other tasks are performed daily as a courtesy to our citizens,” County Clerk Poss concluded.