The Union County Commission postponed its vote on which option to choose for the location of the new jail at its regular meeting in August.
Commissioner Sidney Jessee Jr. offered the two options that had been approved by the Jail Committee: Option 1 was to locate the jail on the current HMMS Football Field and renovate portions of the HMMS School to accommodate administrative offices, judges’ chambers, and possibly courtrooms, and other county functions. Option 2 was to locate the jail adjacent to the current courthouse, purchase property, close a street, and tear down several buildings and a house.
Both options would have the sheriff's office inside the jail and would also have a small courtroom.
According to Commissioner Jessee, who was presiding while Mayor Bailey was on vacation, the middle school option would save the county money, but the courthouse option would cost the county more money.
Some commissioners were concerned about building on the HMMS field before the sports fields at the new middle school would be available. Others thought the new fields were removed from the building program altogether.
Several asked questions that could only be answered by someone from the school system. Rebecca Lock, Plainview’s school board member, was at the meeting and commented that the school board and Director Greg Clay had discussed the use of the middle school property during a recent meeting and were in favor of the proposal if a compatible timeline could be worked out. So, Commissioner Jessee will work with Mayor Bailey and the school system to set a date and time for a joint workshop to answer the question raised by commissioners.
However, commissioners did approve the master plan and timeline for the building of the jail that was suggested by Bob Bass, who is the Deputy Director of the Tennessee Corrections Institute and monitors the jail certification. The Union County Jail is certified, but due to its overcrowded and inadequate conditions, has been under a Corrective Plan of Action since 2019.
According to the Master Plan, commissioners would need to complete a needs assessment, choose a location, and hire an architect by November 30, 2023, in order to satisfy the plan.
During 2024, commissioners would work with the architect to develop concept and construction plans, hire a construction manager, secure funding and let the construction bid. The plan calls for construction to begin on the site in 2025. Questions regarding the construction timeline will be discussed at the workshop.
Commission also adopted the regulations for public comment that the Budget Committee had already approved for its meeting. Persons making a public comment will have four minutes to speak without interruption. The speaker cannot yield time to another person. When the speaker has completed the comment, commissioners may choose to comment or answer questions for a maximum of four minutes per speaker.
During the Public Comment, Dudley Cunningham from Sharps Chapel addressed commission regarding recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds at marinas. According to Cunningham, the county was not receiving additional tax money for these vehicles and campers since they did not pay an occupancy tax. He suggested that the commissioners investigate the possibility of charging a use or occupancy tax as additional revenue.
Toward the conclusion of the meeting, some commissioners voiced concerns that regulations were needed regarding recreational vehicles that were being used as residences. A state regulation prohibits such a use. Jessee said he would notify Mayor Bailey that a committee was needed to gather the information.
Commission also approved a resolution to update the building codes on first reading. Before the second reading in September, commissioners requested that the building inspector explain the updates needed.
Just before the close of the meeting, Commissioner Jessee clarified some false accusations that had been publicly made by some citizens. He stated that Union County Commission has never had “taxation without representation” and each of the commissioners was elected by a majority of the people who voted in the last election. He continued that the commissioners were doing their very best to represent their districts. He noted that taxation without representation is illegal in a democracy and the people making these false claims need to stop such statements.
The next Union County Commission meeting will be September 25 at 7 p.m. with the Planning Commission at 6 p.m. The Budget Committee will be on September 19 at 6 p.m.
Historic Union County will announce the workshop as soon as Mayor Bailey sets a date.