Four other persons have been arrested on drug charges from the recent undercover investigation by the Sheriff’s Department. That brings the total to 55 arrested out of the 64 named in sealed indictments returned by the Grand Jury on Monday, January 13.
The latest to be arrested are:
32 year old Garth Cantrell of Pine Grove Road, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Roxycodone); and one count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Crack Cocaine), bond $50,000
22 year old Eric Dewayne Judkins of Hendrixson Road, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana); and one count of Sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $50,000
50 year old Robert Jeffery League of Smith Road, Smithville:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule I drug (MDMA Ecstasy); and two counts of a Drug Free Zone, bond $50,000
28 year old Brandon Scott Kidd of Four Seasons Drive, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule IV drug (Xanax), bond $20,000
All those indicted in this investigation will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on February 21.

Smithville Volunteer firefighter Lieutenant Donnie Cantrell received the “Highest Attendance Award” Friday night during an appreciation dinner for city firefighters at the Smithville First United Methodist Christian Fellowship Center.
The award was presented to Cantrell by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker.
Lieutenant Cantrell responded most to incidents during 2013. A total of 125 out of 144 total fire calls. Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale was next having responded to 123 calls followed by James R. Hunt with 118 and Lieutenant John Poss at 114.
Deputy Chief Hale received an award for having put in the most training hours during the year at 227 followed by Lieutenant Cantrell with 161 hours, Lieutenant Danny Poss with 157 hours, and Lieutenant John Poss with 155 hours.
Chief Parker recognized all firefighters for their service to the department and the City of Smithville including:
Shawn Jacobs, auxiliary member with 4 months of service
Will Frazier: three months
Tyler Ludwig: three months
Patrick Edge: one year
Becky Atnip: one year
Cory Killian: three years
Kevin Adcock: three years
Ronald Whitaker: five years
Glen Lattimore: six years
Stephanie Wright: eight years
Gary Johnson: nine years
James R. Hunt: nine years
Wallace Caldwell: ten years
Charles Young: fifteen years
William Brown: sixteen years
Greg Bess (photographer): nineteen years
Lieutenant Anthony Wright: twenty two years
Lieutenant John Poss: twenty three years
Captain Jeff Wright: twenty eight years
Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale: twenty nine years
Lieutenant Danny Poss: thirty four years
Lieutenant Donnie Cantrell: thirty four years
Chief Charles Parker: thirty four years.
In addition to the firefighters and their spouses, the event was attended by Mayor Jimmy Poss and Aldermen Danny Washer, Jason Judd Murphy, Josh Miller, Tim Stribling, and Shawn Jacobs and members of their families. City officials expressed appreciation to the firefighters for the work they do and their commitment to helping improve the operation of the fire department to keep residents safer.
Chaplain Wallace Caldwell read the following poem:
Dad’s Poem
Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy’s Day at school,
and she couldn’t wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn’t there today.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
for a man who wasn’t there.
“Where’s her daddy at?”
she heard a boy call out.
“She probably doesn’t have one,”
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
“Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day.”
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
“My Daddy couldn’t be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I’m not standing here alone.
“Cause my daddy’s always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he’ll forever be in my heart”
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
“I love my daddy very much,
he’s my shining star.
And if he could, he’d be here,
but heaven’s just too far
You see he was a policeman
and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers
and taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it’s like he never went away.”
And then she closed her eyes,
and she saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
“I know you’re with me Daddy,”
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
Author Unknown

Local, state, and federal law enforcement officials converged on a local pain clinic shortly after noon on Friday in Smithville.
The Health Care Team Clinic at 409 East Broad Street is under investigation by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Tennessee Inspector General’s Office, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and the Smithville Police Department apparently over the dispensing of narcotics. Activity at the clinic in recent months has aroused suspicion with some patrons to the clinic coming here from counties many miles away.
Sheriff Patrick Ray and Police Chief Randy Caplinger, in a joint statement Friday said that “The sheriff’s department, police department, and federal DEA agents executed a search warrant at Health Care Team at 409 East Broad Street today (Friday).” They would say no more about the investigation.
Two persons were arrested on unrelated charges. Sheriff Ray said that 41 year old Martin Keith Ball of Sunlight Road, Parrottsville, Tennessee was arrested for violation of community corrections out of Cocke County, Tennessee. 27 year old Laura Jean Suggs of Edwina Bridge Port Road, Newport Tennessee was arrested for violation of probation out of Cocke County, Tennessee.
Both Ball and Suggs were each picked up by Cocke County Sheriff’s Department officials from the DeKalb County Jail and transported to the Cocke County Jail.

Six more drug defendants have been arrested as part of the recent undercover investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.
Those defendants and their charges are as follows:
56 year old George O. Divine of North Butler Street Sparta:
Three counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $90,000
28 year old Brandy Faye Batey of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana); two counts of drug free zone, bond $100,000
30 year old Ronald “Jag” Jagnandan of C.B. Johnson Road, Sparta:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Roxycodone); One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $60,000.
47 year old Howard Robert Mayo Jr. of Main Street, Gassaway:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $20,000
48 year old Evelyn Darlene Cantrell of Bobby Hayes Road, Dowelltown:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana), bond $60,000
31 year old James Todd Qualls of Luna Lane Sparta:
Initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a schedule I drug (Mushroom), bond $75,000
All will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on February 21.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday he spoke with officials of the Tennessee Inspector General’s office concerning the possibility that some of the 64 drug defendants in the investigation illegally sold TennCare funded precriptions. “Our departments will be working together to see if any of our drug defendants from our latest drug bust sold their prescriptions that were paid for by Tenn-Care. If any defendant is found to have bought their prescriptions with tax money (Tenn-Care funds), the defendant could face additional charges and may loose their government funded healthcare,” said Sheriff Ray.
According to the Sheriff, a variety of drugs were purchased through this three month investigation from individuals across the county. “Through these controlled drug buys, we were able to purchase many different types of drugs. We purchased Dilaudid, Morphine, Opana, Roxycodone, Percocet, Hydocodone, Suboxone Strips, Suboxone Pills, Adderall, Valium, Xanax, Subutex, Ecstasy, Crack Cocaine, and Marijuana. The majority of the drugs bought were prescription pain killers,” he said.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Executive Director, Donny Green, today reminded farmers and other agricultural producers that they have until this Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, to return completed ballots to FSA for the county committee election. Eligible voters who have not received a ballot can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center. The last day for voters to submit completed ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers is Jan. 17, 2014. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Jan. 17.
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1.
Close to 7,700 FSA county committee members serve in the 2,124 FSA offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Approximately one-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. More information on county committees, such as the 2013 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.

Another edition of “reeling in the years” is coming into your home and automobile this Saturday night, January 18..
Join Dennis Stanley and Shawn Jacobs as they play the music from your youth, this Saturday from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Hear music from The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Meatloaf, The Beatles, Chicago, Neil Young and many more.
That’s “Reeling in the Years,” this Saturday night from 6 to 10 on WJLE.

WJLE and participating local businesses are giving you a chance to bid on and buy merchandise at a discount in the RADIO SHOPPER on Thursday, January 23.
Starting at 8:00 a.m. that morning, WJLE will be opening up the phone lines for you to bid on various items from F.Z. Webb & Sons Gifts, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, the Flower Box, Dairy Queen, Kilgore’s Restaurant, DeKalb Farmers Coop, DeKalb Tire & Service, Bumpers Drive-In, Cantrell’s the home of Fluty and Fluty’s Shoes, Head Turners, Tangles Salon, the White Possum Grille, and possibly others!
WJLE will set a minimum bid on each item, and continue the bidding until the item is sold. The program on Thursday will be limited to around three hours. If we have more items to sell, the program will resume Friday morning, January 24 at 8:30 a.m.
It’s going to be fun and exciting! Be sure to be by your radio and your telephone on Thursday, January 23rd at 8:00 a.m. and call in a bid to RADIO SHOPPER on WJLE. The program will also be streamed LIVE at www.wjle.com..

Sixty four persons were named in sealed indictments by the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Monday, January 13 after a three month undercover drug investigation by the Sheriff’s Department. The defendants are to be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on February 21.
(CLICK LINK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF ALL DRUG DEFENDANTS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY)http://www.wjle.com/image-gallery/drug-defendants
Those arrested Wednesday and their charges are as follows:
42 year old Chad Everett Knowles of The Loop Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), $30,000 bond
69 year old Eulain “Poley” Shelton of Gentry Avenue, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), $30,000 bond
32 year old Kenneth “Kenny” Bain Jr. of Old west Point Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine) $60,000 bond
25 year old Bruce Carlon Cantrell of Bobby Hayes Road, Dowelltown:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone) 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone) 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Percocet); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, $130,000 bond
30 year old Terra Elaine Locklear of Toad Road Dowelltown:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Percocet); 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), $70,000 bond
35 year old Jessie Eugene Thomas of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Percocet); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, $50,0000 bond.
59 year old Kenneth Lee Bain Sr. of Old West Point Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine), bond $60,000
32 year old Mark Denver Young of Barnes Mill Road Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone), $60,000 bond
28 year old Amanda Alice Atnip of Coconut Ridge Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Opana), Bond $60,000
35 year old Michael Shone Saylors of West Main Street Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), $40,000 bond
30 year old Christopher Trent Barnes of Hayes Court, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone); 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule drug II (Opana); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, $100,000 bond
32 year old Christopher Eudean Pack of Kendra Drive, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone), $60,000 bond
36 year old Jermaine Derperise McCoy of Smith Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Crack Cocaine); 2 counts of Drug Free Zone, bond $100,000
33 year old Brandon Edward Smith of Cooper Street, Smithville:
4 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Crack Cocaine); 2 counts of Drug Free Zone, bond $160,000.
29 year old Donald “Ricky” Atnip Jr. of Natchez Lane, McMinnville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Opana), bond $60,000
24 year old Emily Claire Anderson of Natchez Lane, McMinnville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Suboxone Strips), bond $20,000
43 year old Richard Scott Adams of Redmon Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Crack Cocaine), bond $30,000.
50 year old Victor Locklear of Toad Road, Dowelltown:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $40,000
30 year old Jackie Blake Sanders of Highland Street, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Percocet); 2 counts of Drug Free Zone, bond $100,000.
22 year old Christopher Michael Prince of Cascade Falls Drive Murfreesboro:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall); 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule VI drug (Marijuana), bond $70,000
(NOTE: A citation was issued to Prince because when arrested the deputy found a small amount of marijuana on his person. The citation was for simple possession of marijuana.
32 year old David “D.J.” Stewart of Greenwood Drive, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Suboxone), bond $70,000.
49 year old Scott Alan Ferrell of Cookeville Highway, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, bond $80,000.
34 year old John Miller Alsup of Toad Road, Dowelltown:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $40,000.
28 year old Clent Lee Shehane of Foster Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine); 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule IV drug (Valium), bond $70,000.
51 year old Carl Edward Martin of Smith Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid): 2 counts of Drug Free Zone, Bond $100,000.
53 year old James “Jim” Walters of Fuston Cemetery Road McMinnville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall), Bond $60,000.
63 year old Billie Jean Sanders of Highland Street, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Counterfeit Drug;
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, Bond $60,000.
53 year old Sammy Gene Taylor of Winter Drive, Dowelltown:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $60,000
61 year old Charles Ronnie Evans of Students Home Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), Bond $60,000.
26 year old Auston Corley Wood of Main Street Gassaway:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, Bond $80,000.
34 year old Russell Shannon Estes of Locust Street, Liberty:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Suboxone Strips);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), bond $50,000.
27 year old Nikita Dawn Clark of Patterson Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone), Bond $60,000.
19 year old Savanah Brooke Arnold of Miller Road, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Suboxone Strips); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, Bond $50,000.
29 year old Amanda Michelle Certain of Locust Street Liberty
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone)
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrodone), Bond $50,000.
41 year old Lisa Lue Ray of Cookeville Highway, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Percocet);
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $50,000
(NOTE: Ray was issued a citation for drug paraphernalia because when she was arrested the deputy found an ink pen barrel that contained a white powdery substance, a dish that contained a white powdery substance, and a pill crusher that contained a white powdery substance that was found in her home).
46 year old Lawrence Scott Young of Cascade Falls Drive, Murfreesboro:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $60,000.
52 year old Tommye Lou Bell of Hawkins Drive, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), bond $60,000.
32 year old Ricky Shannon Pollard of Peyton Lane, Smithville:
2 counts of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine), bond $60,000.
35 year old Anthony Glen Johnson of Antioch Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Morphine); 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $70,000.
31 year old Jonathan Kyle McCormick of Green Acres Drive, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid); 1 count of Drug Free Zone; 1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, Bond $100,000. (NOTE: McCormick was issued a citation for drug paraphernalia after a deputy found hypodermic needles, strings, straws, and spoons in his bedroom that is believed to have been used to consume drugs).
34 year old Christopher Shannon Mooneyham of Green Acres Drive Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Roxycodone); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, Bond $50,000. (NOTE: Mooneyham was issued a citation for simple possession of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone) and drug paraphernalia after a deputy found in his possession hypodermic needles, straws, and spoons and six Hydrocodone pills).
56 year old Tommy Redmon of Sparta Highway, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Dilaudid), Bond $30,000
45 year old Bradley “Buck” Luna of Antioch Road, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Adderall), Bond $30,000
31 year old Jimmy Joel Farris of Andrews Street, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Counterfeit Drug, bond $10,000.
34 year old Steven Ray Keen Jr. of South College Street, Smithville:
1 count of Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (Opana); 1 count of Drug Free Zone, bond $50,000
56 year old George O. Divine of North Butler Street Sparta:
Three counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $90,000
28 year old Brandy Faye Batey of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana); two counts of drug free zone, bond $100,000
30 year old Ronald “Jag” Jagnandan of C.B. Johnson Road, Sparta:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Roxycodone); One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Adderall), bond $60,000.
47 year old Howard Robert Mayo Jr. of Main Street, Gassaway:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $20,000
48 year old Evelyn Darlene Cantrell of Bobby Hayes Road, Dowelltown:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana), bond $60,000
31 year old James Todd Qualls of Luna Lane Sparta:
Initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a schedule I drug (Mushroom), bond $75,000.
32 year old Garth Cantrell of Pine Grove Road, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Roxycodone); and one count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Crack Cocaine), bond $50,000
22 year old Eric Dewayne Judkins of Hendrixson Road, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Opana); and one count of Sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), bond $50,000
50 year old Robert Jeffery League of Smith Road, Smithville:
Two counts of Sale and delivery of a schedule I drug (MDMA Ecstasy); and two counts of a Drug Free Zone, bond $50,000
28 year old Brandon Scott Kidd of Four Seasons Drive, Smithville:
One count of Sale and delivery of a schedule IV drug (Xanax), bond $20,000

Most DeKalb Utility District customers can expect a 42% increase in their water rates thanks to the City of Smithville’s hefty rate increase to the utility, according to DUD officials.
In a letter to subscribers Tuesday, January 14, Board of Directors and Management of the DeKalb Utility District have announced that rates to customers who receive water purchased by the DUD from the city will be increased by 42% or $4.30 per thousand gallons effective with the January billing.
DUD officials say the increase is necessary to help offset the 144% rate increase the City imposed on the DUD effective January 1. The DUD must now pay the city $5.00 per thousand gallons, an increase from the rate of $2.05 per thousand gallons the DUD had been paying for the last year until its water purchase agreement with the city expired.
In the letter to subscribers, DUD officials say they are considering options in challenging the city’s new rate.
The letter to customers reads as follows:
“The City Council of Smithville has unanimously voted to increase the rate for water sold to DUD from the current rate of $2.05 per thousand gallons to the rate of $5.00 per thousand gallons which equals a 144% increase effective January 1, 2014”.
“This increase was imposed even though no additional expense was incurred by the City in producing water and delivering it to DUD. Further, the City indicated that this rate is subject to being increased again in July”.
“DUD is now forced, due to the actions of the Smithville City Council, to increase our rates. We therefore provide notice that beginning with the January billing that an increase of $4.30 per thousand gallons (42% increase) will be assessed to our customers who receive water purchased from Smithville. DUD is mindful of the impact an increase has on its customers and is making every effort to keep the increase as minimal as possible. While this increase does not totally cover the increased cost imposed by the City, it should be sufficient while DUD is considering its options to challenge the rate”.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make every effort to provide you quality water at a reasonable price. The actions of Smithville provide a prime example why DeKalb Utility customers need their own water treatment plant so that others will not possess such random pricing power. Indeed, DUD continues with plans to construct a water treatment plant in order to permanently avoid this situation in the future”.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen met in special session Thursday night, December 12 at city hall to set the new rate for the DUD once the old contract expired December 31. The new rate of $5.00 per thousand gallons established for DUD is the same rate that city customers pay for water.
For the last decade, the DUD had been under contract with the city to purchase water at a rate which had increased by five cents per thousand gallons each year starting at $1.60 per thousand gallons in 2004 and ending up at $2.05 per thousand gallons in 2013.
Proposals for a new deal were presented by both sides in the months prior to the expiration of the contract but the parties could not reach an agreement.
In the last proposal, DUD commissioners offered to enter into a new ten year contract with the city and pay $2.67 per thousand gallons for the first five years and $2.80 per thousand gallons for the remaining five years. But they were unwilling to adhere to the city’s request to give up plans to build a DUD water treatment plant and agree to minimum purchase amounts from the city for the next ten years. While not taking a vote on the DUD proposal, the aldermen clearly were opposed to it.
Several months ago the city hired Warren and Associates to do a water cost study. Their findings were that it cost the city $2.67 per thousand gallons to produce water. That’s the same rate as the DUD proposed to pay in the first five years of a new contract with the city.
However during the December 12 meeting, the city’s financial consultant, Janice Plemmons-Jackson advised the aldermen against locking in the rate for five years with costs likely to rise. “Every year your cost is going to continue to go up. To lock in one rate for five years, unless you’re getting a high rate on the front end doesn’t make sense,” she said.
Jackson added that the results of Warren’s cost study, done months ago, may already be out of date. “Those were probably 2012 numbers and we’re already at the end of 2013 going into 2014. You have had some cost increases so the rate that was good at the time of the cost study is probably not the rate you’re now spending to produce the water. That’s an old number,” she said.
At the December 12th meeting with no new agreement between the city and DUD, all five aldermen voted in favor of a motion to set the new DUD rate at $5.00 per thousand gallons.
The rate took effect January 1 and is be re-evaluated by the mayor and aldermen next summer during budget preparations for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which begins July 1. “The rate will be established in the budget by ordinance and it can be re-evaluated with the new budget July 1. Instead of doing a contract, the rate may now be voted on each year by the board in the budget ordinance,” said City Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson.

A 26 year old Smithville woman was injured in a one car crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 146 near Short Mountain Mini-Storage.
Central dispatch received the call at 4:26 p.m.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Amanda Washer was traveling north in a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant when the car went off the right side of the road, struck a culvert, and overturned coming to rest on its wheels. Washer was ejected from the car. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
Washer told Trooper Johnson that she took her eyes off the road when she reached to pick up a lighter. She was cited for not wearing her seatbelt and for failure to maintain her lane of travel.
Members of the Short Mountain Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department responded along with officers of the Sheriff’s Department.