Menu
Finance Committee considers tax increase to fund more road paving and repairs
WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
The City of Dyersburg Finance Committee took further steps to work out a budget for the full Board of Mayor and Alderman approval. Finance Committee members voted for an increase in the budget for paving, which would necessitate an increase in property taxes of 5 cents. The committee greenlighted requests from McIver’s Grant Public Library, the Dyersburg Fire Department (DFD), and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The committee also approved funding for energy (gas) cost increases and employee cost of living raises. A 2% raise would add another $210,000 to expenditures; a 3% raise would add $315,000.
Committee members present were Mayor John Holden, Aldermen-at-Large Vanedda Webb and Chairman Edward Burks, and Alderman Dennis Moody. Presenting the budget was City Treasurer Scott Ball, and at the table too was City Recorder Scott Ball. Sitting in were Aldermen Joey Harrison and Ricky Hammond as well as Alderman-at-Large Rick Crawford. City Purchasing Agent Greg Williams was there to field questions too.
Emergency Operations Center request for staff raises
At the June 13 Finance Committee meeting, EOC Director Gloria Spence had requested a 10% raise for 12 employees, but, as Anderson reminded the committee, she did not request a salary raise for herself.
Holden noted that two years ago, the city had done a salary study and had dropped top-out time from 18 years to 7 years, resulting in an 11% raise. But he also said that he was for the salary hikes for the EOC staff. Ball said that the 10% would include the 2%-3% cost of living increase for city employees.
Moody remarked, “The dispatchers have a lot on them. They dispatch police, fire, and ambulance. Webb added that the department is so well-trained that she fears losing them to other cities. Moody agreed. Burks noted that if they raised that salary and an employee left, EOC would still have that part of the budget for a new employee.
Moody made a motion to approve the 10% raise, Webb seconded, and all approved.
Dyersburg Fire Department request for employee training stipends
Anderson reminded the committee that Chief Brett Sipes had requested training stipends for employees who take further training as Advanced EMTs. or Paramedics. Anderson suggested a first step level raise for Advanced EMTs and a second step rise for Paramedics. Holden noted that this is the way the city handled training advances for the other departments and that the city has “done it this way for a long time.” Burks stated that the step raises would be budgeted for $48,000. Holden made the motion to approve, Moody seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
McIver’s Grant Public Library’s request for increased funds and a one-time gift
Burks told the committee that for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the city had given the library, in addition to their regular yearly funding of the library for $148,500, a one-time gift of $21,000. This year, Library Director Vanessa Cain had asked for an additional $4,200 in yearly funding and another one-time gift of $20,000. She cited the library’s cash flow problems and debts as reasons for the funds.
Moody suggested that just as they did last year, the board could give the library a lump sum total for the four years of $4,200 instead of making it part of the yearly funding of the library, thereby making it a one-time commitment only.
Anderson clarified that the library wanted to raise the maintenance of effort [meaning, permanently added to the yearly funding] by $4,200 plus the one-time gift of $20,000.
Moody reiterated, “Making a one-time gift wouldn’t lock us in, and then we can see what happens next year.”
Burks asked Anderson for further clarification, “So you want to give them $24,200 this year?”
Anderson, agreeing with Moody, said that would give them the amount they requested but not commit the board to the $4,200 each year afterwards.
Burks agreed with Moody’s suggestion.
Holden noted, “They [the library] appreciates the city and what we do for them.”
Burks put up for a vote to continue yearly funding of $148,000 and to make a one-time gift of $24,200. Webb motioned to approve, Moody seconded, and the motion passed.
Increased budget for gas purchasing
Anderson remarked that the city budgets $2.32 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet) of gas but that this figure has not been adjusted in 23 years. Other cities, he said, budget between $4.52-$9 per MCF, but he said the city is asking for $5.87 MCF. Webb made a motion to approve, Holden seconded, and the motion carried.
Cost of living raises for city employees; paving budget increases
The committee set out to decide on either a 2% or 3% cost of living salary increase, but they also noted that the paving budget needs an increase.
Committee members agreed that paving is a premier issue in the city. They said that while many of the worst roads are state owned, the city needs more money for paving and road repair. They expressed dismay that residents often blame the city for the state’s inattention to their streets, which, the committee agreed, are “in a terrible shape.” They pointed as an example the intersections, noting particularly at Lake Road and Highway 78.
Moody stated that the city commits $475,000 per year to paving. The committee asked Ball how much yearly funding the roads need. He answered that even though he knew the city could not fully fund it that it would require $1M per year.
Moody asked Ball who decides what streets to pave, and Ball replied that he and Street Department Zach McBroom made the decisions, which are sometimes based on streets that have received the highest number of complaints.
Burks commented that current funding cannot keep up the streets and the “rates of steady deterioration.”
Ball and Williams told the committee that prices for materials had risen. Williams said that over the last few years, the price of gravel has risen from $23-$36 per half yard. Ball said that what the city could get for the same price of all materials was 47% of what it was five years ago.
The talks then turned to increasing property taxes, with all money of the increase dedicated to city-owned roads.
Burks asked Anderson, “You’ve cut all you can from the budget.?” Anderson remarked that the budget he presented is based on absolute needs for the different departments and that increasing funds for paving would necessitate a property tax increase.
Hammond commented that he would support the increase as long as residents see the results. Holden said that he would support it too.
Webb and Hammond, however, said it was important to give employees as cost of living increase. Hammond said, “We have to take care of our employees.”
Burks asked for a motion to approve the 3% raise for city employees. Holden made the motion, Moody seconded, and the motion carried.
After more discussion on funding street paving, repairs, and maintenance, Webb made a motion for an increase tax of 5 cents, raising the total property tax rate from $2.42 to $2.47. Moody seconded, and the motion carried. The meeting then adjourned.