Dresden Enterprise - Covering Weakley County Like the Dew from Heaven for 118 Years

Members of the Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the final draft of the city’s property tax rate, as well as an annexation proposal, during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Property Tax Rate

A resolution increasing Dresden’s property tax rate from $1.19 to $1.31 was approved by the board by a vote of 4-2.

Although the board previously approved a property tax increase to make up for a shortfall in the budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, it could not lock in a specific amount until the Weakley County Property Assessor’s office had determined the certified tax rate, based upon a reappraisal of properties countywide. However, once the certified tax rate was set for the city at $1.06 per $100 of assessed value, the City of Dresden was able to adjust its tax rate accordingly.

The certified tax rate is the rate that would produce the same amount of revenue as received for the previous tax year.

The reason given for the tax hike was that the city simply could not continue to offer the services it was offering without a tax increase.

The certified tax rate, as published by the Weakley County Property Assessor’s office, adjusted the City of Dresden’s property tax rate from $1.19 to $1.06. Although some properties increased in value and some decreased, because of overall increase in the value of certain properties along with growth in the tax base, the end result is that a property tax rate of $1.06 per $100 of assessed value generates approximately the same amount of revenue. This amounts to roughly $409,671.

However, with a shortfall of $87,500 in the FY 2008-2009 budget, maintaining the same amount of tax revenue for the City of Dresden was not an option, since more money was needed. Therefore, the board approved increasing the city’s property tax rate to $1.31 per $100 of assessed value. The increase will generate $511,000 in property tax revenue, which amounts to an increase of $101,329.

In simple terms, a home previously valued at $100,000 taxed at 25 percent of its actual value ($25,000), would have an annual tax bill of $297.50, based on the certified tax rate of $1.19. Providing the property value remained the same under the reassessment, under the new city tax rate of $1.31 the tax bill for the same home would amount to $327.50. This would be an increase in taxes of $30, which is a 10 percent increase.

There was no public discussion offered concerning the property tax hike during a public hearing held immediately prior to Monday night’s board meeting. However, during the meeting, board members had a few things to say about the budget, both pro and con.

(Check out the rest of this story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)

Weakley County Schools open Thursday, August 7

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

Summer vacation comes to a close this week as area students return to their classrooms.

Students are scheduled to begin their first full day of classes Thursday, August 7.

The total number of students registered countywide will not be known until early next week, when school administrators submit registration numbers to the Weakley County School Department.

The number of students in the various grades will determine how many teacher positions the state will fund. The student/teacher ratio the state funds varies depending on the grade level.

During an interview Tuesday, Director of Weakley County Schools Richard Barber stated the teacher/pupil ratios are the same as the previous year, which is 1 to 19 in grades K-3, 1 to 20 in grades 4-8, and 1-19 in high school. “Ours is considerably lower than the state mandate,” Barber added.

Barber stated that, due to the number of students this year and the way the numbers are rounded, there would be three additional teachers countywide.

As for new courses offered this school year, Barber said that there is a new half credit in personal finance and a half credit in physical education.

“We were very fortunate with all of our revenue issues across the state,” Barber said. “The governor did not cut education funding, so we were proud we got to retain what we did. With the added costs of the fuels and all of the things it’s caused other things to go up, we are just glad to keep on track with what we’ve been doing.” However, Barber stated that the school system was not moving forward with any new initiatives.

“We’re ready to go,” Barber said. “Registration is going forward today.”

Personnel Changes

There are a few changes in personnel slated for the 2008-2009 school year, including the appointment of Mike Riggs as principal of Greenfield School, following the retirement of former principal Jackie Vaughan. Mr. Vaughan will not be leaving the school system, however, since he will be filling a half-time position as supervisor of textbooks. This will allow Doug Braden, who previously shouldered this responsibility, to devote his time dealing exclusively with federal projects, paid solely by federal dollars. In doing so, Braden will shift from a full-time supervisor over textbooks and federal projects to a half-time position as supervisor of federal projects. Also, Donald High will assume the position of principal of Sharon School.

(Read the rest of this story in the August 6th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Judge Acree elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference

Judge William Acree. Jr., who serves as circuit court judge for the 27th Judicial District, which is composed of Weakley and Obion counties, has been elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference.

The 178-member conference includes all state appellate and trial court judges and provides continuing education and forums for judges to better the judicial system.

Acree succeeds Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr., of Maryville as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference.

“It is a great honor to have been chosen by my colleagues to lead our Judicial Conference,” Acree said. “While it is somewhat daunting to follow the outstanding leadership provided by Judge Thomas, I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Acree, of Union City, has served as circuit court judge since 1994, when he was appointed to the bench by former Governor Ned McWherter to replace Circuit Judge David Hayes. Acree has since won and been re-elected to the position. Prior to his as circuit court judge appointment, Acree was in the private practice of law. Additionally, he has served as a special judge on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court Worker’s Compensation Panel, as well as a special master appointed by the Supreme Court. He was a member of the governor’s Task Force on the Use of Enhancement Factors in Criminal Sentencing. In 2003, he was instrumental in starting a successful drug court in the 27th Judicial District. He also served as president of the Tennessee Trial Judges Association.

(Read the rest of this story in the August 6th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Martin's 15th annual Tennessee Soybean Festival to feature top musical talent

Lonestar and The Marshall Tucker Band will headline the 15th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival, Aug. 30-Sept. 7, in Martin, with the theme “The Crossroads of Good Livin’.”

A mix of entertainment, along with a car and bike show, pageants, talent contest, parade, barbecue cook-off and educational programs, also highlight this year’s event.

“This is our 15th year to promote agriculture and community through the Tennessee Soybean Festival,” said David Belote, festival chairman. He added that the festival continues to be a week packed with events to interest people of all ages throughout Martin and the region. “We try to offer the best possible entertainment while striving to provide a program of events that is diverse and exciting.”

“The Tennessee Soybean Festival has grown to be one of the premier festivals in the state,” said Randy Brundige, Martin mayor. “I am proud of what this community has done and the way it comes together during the event.”

The 2008 festival will include “The Return, A Beatles Tribute” concert as the Tuesday night feature during festival week, the fourth annual Faith and Community Night, sponsored by the Martin Ministerial Alliance, with Daniel Doss Band and also the Melody Makers as the Wednesday night entertainment, and Corey Smith performing Thursday night. On Friday, the Nashville Songwriters Jam will be staged in Virginia Weldon Park. Bluegrass in the Park is scheduled, along with performances by Voodoo Village at the North Lindell Street Gap Stage and the Peacemakers performing on the main stage. Margarita Beach and Peacemakers will perform on Saturday.

The Marshall Tucker Band concert Friday night and Lonestar’s performance Saturday night will cap festival musical events. All concerts are free.

Lonestar is known for such hits as “Amazed,” “I’m Already There,” “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Tequila Talkin’.” Marshall Tucker Band released its first album in 1973 and had success with hits that include “Heard it in a Love Song,” “Fire on the Mountain,” and “Can’t You See.”

(Check out the rest of this story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)