By David Fisher Staff Reporter

    Members of the Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve a 25-cent property tax increase during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting. They also approved a new seatbelt ordinance, change in the Personnel Policy Handbook, helicopter landing zone policy, re-zoning property, park improvements, recognized a Dresden firefighter,

Property Tax Increase

    After much deliberation on how the city might continue to operate without a property tax increase, a careful review of the city’s financial situation made it all too clear to board members that it would be impractical to attempt to operate without enough funds in the budget to maintain essential city services.
    Dresden Finance Director Melanie Bynum informed board members that the without additional funding in the city’s budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, there would be a shortfall of approximately $86,000. Bynum stated that this is due partly to the increase in operating expenses. For example, fuel costs are up by 10 percent, as are other items required for operating city departments.
    However, Bynum stated that, if all goes well, by early 2009, the sewer rehab fees being paid by city residents to repair and replace dilapidated sewer lines (as mandated by the State of Tennessee), may be paid off and the charge dropped from the monthly cost for water and sewer services. She noted that this would reduce the overall amount paid by citizens in city fees and give taxpayers some relief from the increase in the property tax.
    Dresden Mayor Danny Forrester stated that he doesn’t like the idea of raising taxes anymore than anyone else, but it seems inevitable under the circumstances, and noted that even with a tax increase of $0.25 per $100 of assessed property value, which would raise the rate from $1.19 to $1.44, Dresden would still have the second lowest property tax rate in Weakley County.
    When the ordinance authorizing the property tax increase came to a final vote, it was approved on first reading by a unanimous vote of all board members present, with Alderwoman Joyce Hurt being absent.
    The ordinance, adopting a budget and setting a tax rate, must be approved on second reading before going into effect.

Seatbelt Ordinance

    Board members also approved an ordinance increasing the fine for those motorists cited for not wearing their seatbelts from $10 to 20 per violation.
    During discussion, it was noted that the current fine of $10 actually costs the city of Dresden $1 for each ticket it writes after expenses, due to the fact that the city has to send the state of Tennessee $11 for each statute violation turned in to cover state costs.
    For this reason, the fine was increased to $20.

Personnel Policy

    Due to discrepancies between the Dresden Municipal Code and the Personnel Handbook, the board approved the first reading of an ordinance rewording the Personnel Handbook to come into agreement with the Dresden Municipal Code. The wording changed reads as follows:
    “Volunteer firefighters are appointed by the board of mayor and aldermen.
    Volunteer firefighters are compensated per fire call with no other Town benefits except coverage under the Volunteer Firefighters Insurance Coverage Policy. The Town may provide at it own discretion assistance to these appointed individuals.”

(Read the rest of this story in the May 7th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

By David Fisher Staff Reporter

 

    Members of the Weakley County School Board approved the first reading of a new policy concerning homeless students, during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting at Westview High School in Martin.

Homeless Students Policy

    Once it was pointed out that the proposed change in Weakley County’s School Board Policy manual to add a section dealing with homeless students is necessary to bring policy in compliance with federal law, the measure passed unanimously.
    The introduction of the new policy regarding homeless students states the following:
    In order to ensure that homeless students have equal access to the same free appropriate public education as provided to other students, the following shall apply:
    Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include the following:
1. Students who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement.
2. Students who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
3. Students who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.
4. Migratory students who meet one of the above described circumstances.
    Other sections of the policy deal with enrollment and placement, services to be provided, transportation, records, and the appointment of a homeless coordinator.
    The new School Board policy addressing the issue of homeless students will go into effect upon passage of the second reading of the measure, which could possibly take place at the next School Board meeting.
 

(Read the rest of this story in the May 7th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    The Weakley County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Seventh Annual President’s Banquet at the Boling University Center Ballroom on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
    The banquet’s Master of Ceremonies was Misty Menees, employed at Edward Jones and Leadership Weakley County Alumni. Over 350 Chamber members and guest enjoyed an elegant dinner. Weakley Co. Municipal Electric System sponsored pianist Geill Glover for entertainment during dinner.
    The highlights of the evening were the awards ceremony, graduation of the participants in the leadership programs, recognition of the Chamber Board President Joe Brasher of Sharon and introduction of President- elect Mike Wilson of Gleason Lumber in Gleason.

Chamber Update

    Weakley County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Virgin gave updates on the many services, organizations, workshops, programs and partnerships the Chamber supported this fiscal year and to use the Chamber web site for information sources www.weakleycountychamber.com. Mrs. Virgin reported that the participation of the County and the Chamber’s documentation presented to the Economic Community Development Governor’s 3 Star Program saved the Communities over $ 810,835.00 in Fast Track and CDBG Grants in 2007-08.

Business of the Year Award

    The awards presented were Business of the Year and Weakley Countian of the Year. The Business of the Year Award for 2008 went to A Country Pet Resort & Spa owned by – Shelby Hurley, who operates an upscale boarding and grooming facility for pets. The mission Country Pet Resort and Spa is to provide a new concept in pet care. “We will provide a high quality of service for safe, clean fun filled in a loving environment,” Hurley said. “We will make a difference in the lives of people and pets in our community.”
    The business started a humble beginning in a room of 225 sq. ft. now occupy a total of 6200 sp. ft. indoors and five acres outdoors. After joining the W.C. Chamber of Commerce utilizing the Chamber resources and consulting with other entrepreneurs, setting short term and long term realistic goals the business started growing to be the largest in West TN.
    There is a strong commitment to giving back to the community. The business fosters and rescues pets and provides free grooming services for pets in need for many of the elderly pet owners. The Country Pet Resort and Spa donate to many worthy organizations: UTM Work Study programs, UTM Intern Programs, United Way, AGAPE House, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club Telethon, St. Jude, Walk of Hope, Carl Perkins Center, Soybean Festival, Westview Cheerleaders, Little League Ball Team, Martin Minors Softball League, and Cal Ripkin Baseball Tournaments. To make a difference in the environment, they planted 2500 trees on the property, recycled products, and changed all lighting to be energy efficient. The Country Pet Resort & Spa host a free community Paw Festival and was featured in the Hometown Magazine and several news publications. The Country Pet Resort and Spa sets the example of how a successful business can be attained when using resources in their community combined with hard work and dedication to provide quality service.
 

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