The new year brought Mayor Bailey’s first tiebreaker of his tenure at the Union County Commission meeting last month.
Sheriff Billy Breeding requested a mid-year budget amendment of new money to fund a correctional grade camera system. Prior to the commission meeting, the sheriff brought his proposal to the budget committee where it did not receive any action, therefore the proposal could be brought to the commission without a recommendation.
Breeding explained that 64 cameras would be purchased and installed in various corners inside and outside to monitor all aspects of the jail, including the cells. The cost would be $97,000 and the federal ARPA money could be repurposed to purchase the cameras.
Several commissioners questioned the upgrade when a new jail is being planned. One commissioner asked how many cameras were in the current system. The sheriff responded that the current jail has 52 cameras but only half work.
Another asked the cost of the current cameras and were they being maintained. Breeding answered that each camera was around $325 and the DVR needed to be upgraded too. He further explained that a large number of cameras had been damaged by “uprisings in the last three months.”
When he was asked about the uprisings, he related that uprisings might be caused by “not getting milk for lunch—they are inmates.”
The sheriff also related that one reason the cameras are so easily damaged is they are within easy reach and have wiring that can be removed. But the correctional cameras have no wire connections or protective coverings. One commissioner noted that the cost of replacing all of the damaged cameras would be only about $8700.
Finally, Commissioner Larry Lay of the 6th District moved to purchase the new camera system for $97,000 and use ARPA funds to cover the cost. Commissioner Eddie Simpson, 5th District, provided the second and the vote was tied 8-8.
Mayor Bailey broke the tie with a vote in favor of the motion. Voting in favor of the motion were Commissioners Beeler, Conner-Murphy, Cooke, Cox, Dyer, Jones, Lay and Mayor Bailey. Voting against the motion were Commissioner Boles, Effler, Flatford, Jessee, Mike, Moore, Simmons and Walker.
Another discussion on the jail ensued regarding property for the new jail. One commissioner suggested building on the Stiner property that is being purchased by the county. That same commissioner explained that the jail could be at street level with a parking garage underneath. However, another commissioner pointed out that an overhead crosswalk or connection would be necessary to connect to the courtroom or Main Street would be blocked. Commissioner Sidney Jessee Jr, jail committee chairman, asked to hear Commissioner Greg Dyer’s report from the property owners with regards to the original selling prices.
Dyer stated that all property owners were in agreement for the original prices and one was more motivated than the others. Further discussion revealed that one was not willing to hold the original price for longer than 60 days.
A joint meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom with the jail committee and commission to review the needs assessment and hear the final recommendations from Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI).
Commission approved several grant resolutions to either apply for funds, approve a match or approve the grant contract. The Home Grant is for $750,000 and will include not only stick built homes but also mobile homes. The TDOT Planning Grant will evaluate roads and feasible transportation improvements. The Community Development Block Grant will construct two EMS stations to replace the one in Sharps Chapel and the one in Maynardville.
Mayor Bailey also reported that Congressman Tim Burchett was working with him to access a Federal Government Special Allocation Grant to construct a new back entrance to the courthouse at no local expense. In addition, Bailey said that Wilson Park would receive two basketball courts through a Healthy Built Environment Grant administered by the Tennessee Department of Health.
The ARC contract to improve Blue Mud by adding additional ramps and an RV Park was approved. The mayor also noted that after many years, HUD has approved the easement at LaFollette Housing in Luttrell to build a sidewalk from the apartment complex to Luttrell School.
Miranda Sharp and Kelly Clarke, residents of Sharps Chapel, appeared before commission during the public comment to request that Rush Strong School Building that is owned by the county be secured and repaired for future use as a music and community venue. Bailey commented that currently most of the windows were broken and the inside had been heavily damaged. However, Keep Union County Beautiful has done a lot of cleanup inside and out. He also noted that the building needed to be secured because it posed a liability risk in its current condition. Commission unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Eddie Simpson to purchase the needed wood to secure the building and for Bailey to investigate the cost and funding resources for restoration.
The school system updated its building projects. The architects for the new middle school reported that the traffic impact report was in process. They had hired a firm to do the report requested by Maynardville City. The cost of the report will come from the middle school appropriation.
The architects also related that engineering drawings for grading, erosion control, etc. have been submitted by Mike Johnson to TDEC. The new school is on track to be bid in April and begin excavation in the summer of this year. Director Greg Clay reported that the school system is currently negotiating the land lease for the TCAT on the UCHS campus with excavation slated for March of this year.
All budget amendments, the debt service report, notaries and purchasing agreements were approved. The next regular meeting will be Monday, February 26, when the property for the new jail will be on the agenda.