The DeKalb Utility District is apparently ready to accept the City of Smithville’s latest offer on a new water purchase agreement with some conditions.

In April, city officials offered to sell water to the DeKalb Utility District in a new ten year contract at the rate of $2.20 per thousand for the first five years and $2.40 per thousand for the last five years of the agreement. The proposal, subject to approval by the aldermen, would take affect at the end of the city’s current contract with the DUD which expires in early 2014. The terms of the deal apparently call for the DUD to purchase a minimum amount of water (approximately 22 million gallons) per month.
While the DUD still plans to build its own water treatment plant, it will apparently have to continue buying water from the city, at least until the plant is completed. With the current agreement between the city and DUD set to expire in seven months, a new contract must be in place by the first of the year.
The DUD is apparently prepared to pay the new rate as proposed by the city under a new contract, but doesn’t want to be held to purchasing a minimum quantity. City Attorney Vester Parsley, during Monday night’s city council meeting advised that the city stick to its minimum purchase requirement. “We had a requirement in that contract that they (DUD) had to purchase a minimum amount of water from us. They want to obviously not do that. Those rates were strictly contingent upon them purchasing that minimum quantity of water. It’s up to the board (Aldermen), but under their (DUD) revision, if you went with that, they (DUD) would not have to purchase a certain amount of water which would not be in the best interest of the City of Smithville,” said Parsley.
During Monday night’s meeting, Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson read a letter from Jon Foutch, manager of the DeKalb Utility dated May 8.
In the letter, Foutch wrote that “The Board of Commissioners of DUD has asked me to respond to your letter of April 2, 2013, and the proposed Water Purchase Agreement provided with your letter. I write to advise that DUD is agreeable with the rates referenced in the proposed agreement which specifically are $2.20 per 1,000 gallons for the first five years of the contract and then $2.40 per 1,000 gallons for the next five years of the contract. However, this agreement on the rates is contingent upon their being no minimum purchase requirements of DUD,” wrote Foutch.
“As for the remaining issues of your proposed agreement, DUD believes that paragraph 9 should remain the same as was included in our proposed agreement which provides that DUD will be provided a chemical analysis from Smithville upon reasonable request. Also, DUD would recommend that paragraph 12 as included in our proposed agreement remain which would provide the basis for payment by the city should there ever be a need for the city to purchase water from DUD in an emergency situation. We believe that it would be prudent to include a provision that would specifically set forth the rate to be charged by DUD to Smithville in the event of an emergency,” wrote Foutch
“Otherwise, the terms appear reasonable and, in fact, were as earlier proposed by DUD in their original proposed agreement. If you could please advise as to whether the Board of Aldermen have ever agreed to the proposed rates as mentioned, it would be most appreciated,” wrote Foutch.
“I will ask Keith Blair (DUD attorney) to forward a copy of this letter to Vester Parsley (city attorney) and will await further communication on whether this is agreeable,” concluded Foutch.
“Is this something we’re going to need to have a workshop on to discuss?,” asked Alderman Gayla Hendrix
“That depends on what the board (aldermen) decides to do at some future date,” responded Parsley.
The city still has the option of appealing to the Davidson County Chancery Court the Utility Management Review board’s recent dismissal of a DUD ratepayers petition once an order dismissing the petition has been entered. “I talked to the Nashville attorneys last week. The order has never been presented to the (UMRB) board. Until that order is submitted to the (UMRB) board and signed, we (City) have got up to sixty days after that to decide what we want to do,” said Parsley.
After a day long hearing last month, the state’s Utility Management Review Board dismissed a petition filed by a group of DeKalb Utility District ratepayers who were hoping to halt DUD plans to build the proposed water treatment plant. Board members said the petitioners had failed to meet their burden of proof that DUD rates or services provided were unreasonable. The hearing was held in Smithville at the DeKalb County Complex auditorium.
“Are you saying then that we should wait until we get the order before we make a decision?,” asked Alderman Hendrix.
“I think it (order)will be forthcoming in June,” said Parsley. “They (UMRB) meet again in June. As I understand it, the attorney for the comptroller’s office requested the entire proceedings (from the April hearing) be transcribed before she drafted the order. In checking with them last week, that had not been completed but they anticipate it being done within a week or so. My guess is they will probably try to have that ready for the June meeting and submitted to their board for approval. Then our sixty days (within which to appeal) starts,” said Parsley.
“At that time then we can decide whether to appeal the order and if we want to renegotiate a contract,” added Hendrix.
Secretary-Treasurer Hendrixson said he would send a letter to Foutch letting him know that the city won’t be making any decisions on a new water purchase agreement while it awaits the order from the April UMRB proceeding.

DeKalb Middle School held their eighth grade graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 21st, at 9:00 a.m. The event began with 8th grader Steven Jennings giving the invocation. Fellow 8th grade student, Erica Birmingham, then sang a song that she had written for the event entitled “High School Doesn’t Know What’s Coming”. Principal Randy Jennings welcomed everyone and introduced Superintendent of Schools Mark Willoughby.
Mr. Willoughby gave an inspiring speech to the students and encouraged them to live their dreams. Mrs. Lori Hendrix then recognized all Jr. Beta members with a certificate, and the officers were given a plague. Mrs. Tonya Sullivan asked for all Student Council members to stand and be recognized. She also gave 8th grader Susan Webb a plague for leading Student Council.
Mr. Bryan Jones gave the special FCA award to student Jordan Richmond for his dedication and participation with the club. Mrs. Ashley Barnes awarded the yearbook staff with a certificate. Mrs. Karen Pelham then recognized all students who had received a nine week award by asking them to stand.
Assistant Principal Mrs. Amanda Dakas handed out the Computer, Perfect Attendance, and Citizenship awards. Computer awards were given to Kallie Petty, Lexi Bates, and Jayrah Trapp. Those students who received the Perfect Attendance awards were Luke Green, Kallie Petty, Taylor Spare, Adam Ferrell, Diamond McClanahan, and Clay Hoyle. Mrs. Dakas then introduced Mrs. Wanda Poss who presented the Woodmen of the World award to student Clay Hoyle.
Mrs. Dakas then presented the subject area awards which were given to the following students: English- Kallie Petty and Hali Huang, Math- Rachel Fuson and Luke Green, Reading- Taylor Spare, Maddie Dickens, Katherine Parsley, Baylee Phillips, Kristen Parsley, and Lexi Bates, Science- Allison Rogers and Adam Ferrell, and Social Studies- Jayrah Trapp, Sahara Lafever, and Samantha Jarvis.
A Special Recognition Award was presented by Mr. Jennings to Simon Ngure for the integrity and character that he displayed this school year. Top 10 GPA awards were then given by Mr. Jennings. The following students had the highest GPA (in order): 1. Allison Rogers, 2. Jayrah Trapp, 3. Rachel Fuson, 4. Kristen Parsley, 5. Baylee Phillips, 6. Lane Poss, 7. Katherine Parsley, 8. Callie Cripps, 9. Adam Ferrell, 10. Gentry Harpole.
DCHS Valedictorian Taylor Leach gave an encouraging and humorous speech. Diplomas were then presented to all 8th graders, and Mr. Jennings gave the closing remarks.
(Pictured above are are: Allison Rogers with Amanda Dakas for highest GPA
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby giving a speech,
DCHS Valedictorian Taylor Leach giving his speech,
DMS graduates
Perfect attendance students- Luke Green, Adam Ferrell, Clay Hoyle, Diamond McClanahan, Kallie Petty, and Taylor Spare
Wanda Poss presenting Clay Hoyle with the Woodmen of the World award)

The 2013 boating season is upon us as we near Memorial Day weekend.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials stress the importance of safety this weekend on local waters. “We want all our boaters to enjoy this holiday weekend and have a great time, but we also want them to boat responsible and stay safe,” stated TWRA Officer Nick Luper. “Each year we have boating accidents and fatalities on this first big weekend of the season and our officers will be out day and night in hopes we can help keep them from happening.” Last season the United States Coast Guard reported boating-related fatalities decreased from 758 to 651 which is the lowest number on record. “I believe the decrease is due to the overall increase in education and enforcement efforts nationwide. State and federal agencies as well as the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators are working like never before to bring these numbers down,” Luper said.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be patrolling local waterways checking that vessels have the proper safety equipment needed. Those items include sufficient lifejackets for all passengers, a Type IV throwable device, and a fire extinguisher are the most important. Officers will also be checking for proper registration. TWRA reports that locally there has been an increase in Boating Under the Influence arrests in the last two years and efforts will continue to identify impaired boat operators during the 2013 season. “Some boaters have a false sense of security when they drink and boat. They think that just because they are not operating a vehicle that they will be ok,” stated Luper. “In fact on the water, boat operators who consume alcohol are also affected by stressors such as the sun, noise, vibration, and heat which actually intensifies the effects of their impairment.” TWRA says that the best away to avoid a BUI is to have a sober operator.
If you see anyone on the water that you believe is creating an unsafe environment for themselves or other boaters, TWRA asks that you report it to the Region III Office at (931) 484-9571.

DeKalb County High School Band Director Jonathan Wright is asking for your help in solving a burglary and theft at the band room around midnight or after early Saturday morning.
According to Wright, person or persons broke into the high school band room and took a white Fender Jazz bass guitar with a black pick guard in a soft black nylon case. Also taken was a dark brown Pearl philharmonic snare drum in natural wood color.
Entry to the band room was made by prying open a window. An office door inside the band room was also pried open. Some petty cash was stolen.
If you have information that could help solve the crime or lead to the return of these instruments, please call Band Director Wright at 615-597-7213 or call the Smithville Police Department.

Students in the DeKalb County High School Construction Technology (building trades) program have completed construction on the latest home and its now for sale.
The board of education Tuesday night voted to accept sealed bids on the purchase of the house. The minimum bid is $17,100. Bids will be opened at the school board meeting in July.
The home, built on campus at DCHS, is described as a 26′ x 56′ or 1456 square foot (dried-in) house with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms with shower units, living room, kitchen, utility room, three walk-in closets, and a 25 year three tab shingled roof. The house has no plumbing or electric. The purchaser must move the home off the school property within thirty days or be subject to a $100 a day penalty.
The house expenditures totaled $14,829.
Meanwhile, in his monthly report on personnel, Director of Schools Mark Willoughby announced the following retirees or resignations:
Elizabeth White, cafeteria worker, resigned
Brittany Lockard, educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School, resigned
Sue Driver, teacher at Smithville Elementary School retiring at the end of the 2012-13 year
Pam Miller, teacher at Northside Elementary School retiring at the end of the 2012-13 year
Clay Farler, Attendance Supervisor retiring at the end of the 2012-13 year
Mary Pugh, teacher at Smithville Elementary School retiring at the end of the 2012-13 year
In other business, the board approved the following teachers for a professional license, as recommended by Director Willoughby: Jennifer Barnes, Jason Farley, Tanya Howard, Angela Johnson, Adrienne McCormick, Shea Wiegele, Jenny Cantrell, Melissa Hale, Cathleen Humphrey, Jennifer Judkins, John Pryor, Andrew Dixon, Lisa Hull, Ana Jarvis, Kristen Malone, and Allison Rigsby.
Meanwhile, DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps announced a new Interactive Multimedia Presentations Course for the 2013-14 school year at DCHS. “We are doing away with keyboarding at the high school level. Kids are getting it in the second and fifth grade now. They are already coming to us able to type. We are really wanting to boost up our FBLA program. We are kind of behind the times in our program right now. We’re basically doing keyboarding, document designs, doing excel spreadsheets and things like that. Kids already know that. With this class (Multimedia Presentations Course), they will be able to make movies, cartoons. We’re hoping to broadcast in this class as well. When I took this job (DCHS Principal) I told Mr. Willoughby that one of the things I wanted us to improve in is our FBLA program to get more student interest and be able to better compete at the state level,” said Cripps
The school board approved the implementation of this course.
Cripps also mentioned events scheduled during the last week of school. “On May 22 we will have our underclassmen awards at 8:30 a.m. We will be giving our finals during the second and fourth block on May 20 and during the first and third block on May 21. Our graduation day will be May 24 at 7:00 p.m.

To further protect the integrity of the ballot, all local voters will be asked to turn off or put away their cell phones when entering the polling place in all future elections.
The DeKalb County Election Commission, meeting in regular session Monday, adopted policies relating to activities that are prohibited inside the polling place during early voting and on election day.
“Security and privacy of the voter and the security and privacy of their votes are the overriding concerns of the Election Commission,” said Chairman Walteen Parker. “We felt it was time to update our policies, particularly in light of today’s technology.”
One policy adopted by the commission states that “upon entering the polling place, all voters are to turn off their mobile phones and/or place them securely in a belt clip, pocket or purse. Voters are strictly prohibited from talking or texting on their mobile phone while inside the voting location.”
“Not only is it a distraction, but talking or texting on a phone inside the voting location could be considered voter assistance,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections. “There are laws relating to voter assistance and forms to be completed and signed by all parties involved. Someone on the other end of a telephone conversation obviously would not be here to sign the form.”
In addition, Stanley said using a cell phone could be in violation of the state’s “Campaign Free Zone” law.
“Voters using cell phones inside the polling place only raises unnecessary questions,” Stanley continued. “Who is the voter talking to? Are they talking to their spouse about what to pick up at the store on the way home or to a candidate about who to vote for? The later would be a violation of the Campaign Free Zone. ”
Another policy adopted by the Commission relates to actions inside the actual voting booth. The policy states it is “strictly prohibited to photograph, video or by any other method, record a voter’s actual ballot whether on a voting machine or a paper ballot.”
“These two measures go hand-in-hand and are designed to eliminate the possibility of a voter voting, taking a picture of their marked ballot, casting the ballot, then publishing the picture of their marked ballot to the public,” Stanley said.
“The Election Commission has a compelling interest in protecting voters from confusion and undue influence,” Parker added. “We feel like these measures address those issues and we think the public will agree.”