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Finance Committee hears requests from library, Fire Department, and emergency services
WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Budget talks continued at Dyersburg City Hall on Thursday, June 13. The Finance Committee heard from McIver’s Grant Public Library, the Fire Department, and Emergency Services. Additionally there were updates on new online city payment methods and on active grants totaling over $35M.
The Finance Committee attendees included Mayor John Holden, Aldermen Edward Burks (chairman), Vanedda Webb, and Dennis Moody. City of Dyersburg Employees included City Recorder Scott Ball, Engineer Tiffany Heard, Treasurer Steve Anderson, Purchasing Agent Greg Williams, Emergency Operations Director Gloria Spence, Information Technology Services Manager Carmen Cupples, and Dyersburg Fire Department (DFD) Chief Brett Sipes. Sitting in too was Alderman Joey Harrison. Representing the library were Director Vanessa Cain, Bookkeeper Phyllis Bowers, Cataloguer Lara Friedhof, Chairman of the Library Board J. Dan Gullett, Children’s Program Director Alexandra Thompson, and Board member Steve Guttery.
McIver’s Grant Public Library
Cain began by reminding the board that as a 501(c) classified non-profit, the library is barred from raising funds for operating expenses. She also remarked that prices have increased for goods and services in the last year. In a sweeping presentation, she pointed out that while Dyersburg’s library receives $272,000 in local revenue, Obion County’s library receives $618,000 in public revenue. And while Obion and surrounding counties have lower per capita incomes, Dyersburg receives less per person than the others.
As for the return on the city and county’s investment, she told the committee that the library offers vital services, supplying “vital technology” with its 38 computers, 50,000 wireless internet sessions per years, and 50,000 eResources downloaded. The presented documents noted that books borrowed and eBook/Audiobook downloads total a value of over $450,000. The library also offered 2,127 adult programs with a value of almost $31K. In all, the documents stated, the library contributed services valuing over $673,000.
The City of Dyersburg for the 2023-2024 budget year allocated $148,500 and a one-time gift of $21,000. Cain asked for an increase in that allocation by $4,200 each year for the next four years as the library attempts to balance their budget. She also asked for another one-time gift of $20,000.
In the past, she said, the library has had to borrow from the Library Foundation (which owns the building), but that the loans have stopped, and the library is having to borrow from its own special fund account. She said that her employees have not received cost of living raises, that custodian services have stopped, and that employees are now cleaning the building. She said that there has been a reduction in the library’s tech grant, and that the library needs repainting.
While there was no decisions made on the request, the committee asked for conformation of details before moving onto the Emergency Operations budget.
Emergency Operations
Spence likewise outlined Communications Services’ needs and discussed their contributions to the city. She said that she had been working with Sipes on a plan to integrate GPS technology in order to maximize the time it takes emergency workers to reach the nearest IT equipment. She lauded Dyersburg’s Emergency Operations department, noting that they have a high rating, that unlike the departments in surrounding counties, Dyersburg’s service dispatches medical, fire, and police. She said that her dispatchers get beta equipment to test because companies know they will do a thorough job of it. She also cited a need for competitive worker salaries. She noted that while some employees have been reluctant to leave the department, cost of living rates have prompted them to leave for higher salaries.
Highlights of the budget request and variance from the actual expenditures from last fiscal year:
*Administration
2023-2024: $261,700
2024-2025: $273,000
Variance: $11,300
*Total Communications services
2023-2024: $1,042,800
2024-2025: $1,140,000
Variance: $97,200
*Administration salaries:
2023-2024: $67,600
2024-2025: $67,600
No variance
*Communications services salaries:
2023-2024: $447,194
2024-2025: $529,900
Variance: $82,706
Maintenance and equipment amount requests also rose due to increased costs.
Holden asked, “So what is top-out pay for dispatchers?” Spence replied, “$20.03 per hour.” She said other counties’ dispatchers are paid more and do not even handle 911 calls, are not certified to give CPR instruction.
Burks asked, “Is the salary increase reflected in the budget?” Anderson said that he has the figures but that they are not included in the present document. Burks asked, “How many staff?” Spence replied that there are 12-13 employees.
Dyersburg Fire Department
While Sipes did not present a detailed budget at this meeting, he alerted the committee that within the next two to three years, he wants to have a new fire station on Mall Boulevard, at the cost of around $6M. He said that the building would incorporate the Codes Enforcement Department. It would have 10-12 sleeping quarters and would measure about 10,000 square feet.
Sipes said the ideal property would be to one side of the drive to the water treatment plant there. Moody asked if the city owned the property and was told that it did not. Burks followed up, asking if the station could be built on the land around the water treatment plant. Heard responded that it would be difficult for the fire trucks to navigate a long driveway since the plant is set back from the road.
Heard said that the building would require two acres of land and that perhaps the city could get a donation of the necessary space. She added that the area is in the flood plain, not easily developed.
Sipes noted that the new station would replace Station Two, which is 60 years old and too small for the department’s needs.
Harrison asked whether the station would impact traffic and was told it would not.
Sipes then turned to current budget matters. He spoke of giving incentives to employees for training—for paramedics, EMTs, and advanced EMTs. Sipes also recommended raising salaries in order to remain competitive.
Active Grants
Heard and Ball reported that currently the city has active grant projects totaling almost $36M. These include road projects, the stages and renovation at the Forked Deer River Park, the replacement of bridges and the addition of a walking/cycling path on South Main, the industrial park spec building, sewer enhancement, and others.
Further developments in ways to pay gas/water utilities to the city
Cupples presented “Text to Pay,” which allows residents to pay their bills via text messaging and an app called MyCivicUtilities which can be downloaded at Google Play or the Apple App Store. Text messaging can be set up by calling (844) 225-7114 or by going to dyersburgtn.municipalonlinepayments.com