City Board approves school budget, appoints Hayes to Power Board

The Dyersburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen took care of several items of new business at its regular meeting on Monday evening.

Board members passed the city school budget of $21,850,000, with City Recorder and School Board member Gleyn Twilla standing in for Dyersburg City Schools Superintendent Lloyd Ramer, who was delayed at the retirement dinner for city school teachers. Freeman Dudley moved to approve the budget, with Kevin Chaney adding a second. The motion passed 8-0, with alderman Bart Williams abstaining from the vote because he is an employee of the school system. All members of the board were present at the meeting.

Aldermen Bob Kirk and Shannon Walker each had comments to make about the school system's budget during the discussion, with Kirk making sure that the reduction of nine positions within the budget will not increase class sizes and Walker requesting the school system address the costs of supplies requested of both teachers and students.

"This year, there is a reduction of students in both the county and city systems," said Twilla. "That happens in cycles. Some classes are larger than others."

Walker also requested the school system look into adding canopies to two of the schools so students don't have to wait in the weather without shelter, and that the system look into reinstating vocational classes like cosmetology, carpentry and mechanics.

Also at the meeting, board members appointed David Hayes to serve a four-year term on the Power Board, taking the position of Power Board Chairman Donald Pennington, who requested that he not be reappointed to the board for another term. Hayes will serve a term from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2013.

Kirk made the motion, with Walker adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Although there were no bids listed on the agenda, Dyersburg Mayor John Holden updated members on the status of bids accepted on repairing a railroad serving several industries since the last meeting.

"At the last meeting, you authorized (City Purchasing Agent) Greg Williams to spend as much as $55,000," said Holden, who said the second call for bids saved the city over $24,000. "The lowest bid was $29,450."

Board members also approved a resolution to recognize the Municipal Technical Advisory Service for 60 years of service to Tennessee cities and heard a report from Finance Committee Chairman Lewis Norman on the minutes of two meetings in April. The finance committee's April 22 meeting proposed changes to the city's property maintenance code and its April 27 meeting was Ramer's first presentation of the city school system's budget.

"I want to remind you of another (joint) Street Committee and Finance Committee meeting to discuss property maintenance codes at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, May 6," said Holden. "And that a public hearing has been set on the issue during the board meeting on May 18."

In aldermen reports:

* Bart Williams recognized Wilson Armstrong with Boy Scout Troop 88, who attended the meeting as a requirement for a merit badge.

* Dudley invited everyone to attend the Bluegrass Festival, from 5-9 p.m., on Friday, May 15 and from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., on Saturday, May 16.

"It's a good time for the community," said Dudley, who said 18 bands are signed up for the event to date. "It doesn't cost anything to get in. There will be a large display of antique cars and tractors. It's just a big, fun day for the community."

* Moody asked the police chief to check on youth skateboarding outside of the skateboard park and that those skateboarding within the park use the proper protective gear.

Kirk, Chaney, Walker, Norman and McCright had nothing to report.

Holden invited the community to attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, with service beginning at 6:15 a.m., on Thursday, May 7, and said the finance committee will soon meet to update current city building and fire codes to meet state regulations.