Shelby County Commissioners rejected a proposed $15.5 million funding resolution, as they search for a path forward to cover the costs of repairs to the aging Shelby County Jail during the Monday, Sept. 9 meeting.
Members agreed to explore an alternative to Amber Mills’ proposal on a 7-6 vote. Instead the slim majority drifted towards a fork in the road, which includes using funds earmarked for a new mental health facility to treat struggling inmates.
“I would love to have another week to look at this and see if there’s anything at the jail, where maybe another $3 million, where maybe we can change this thing to from $15.5 million to $18.5 million and put all that money towards the jail,” said David Bradford.
The proposal would use capital improvement project dollars intended for the facility. If it passes, it could further delay another big ticket project – the proposed $750 million Regional One hospital campus.
The latter project is currently on hold as Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris seeks additional funding. Last year, his efforts to jawbone state officials into matching funds failed.
Still, a sense of urgency exists as the county attempts to head off a looming state inspection of the jail – and its potential consequences – off at the pass.
The Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) is expected to scrutinize 201 Poplar Avenue next week.
Furthermore, as conditions continue to deteriorate, concerns about staff and inmate safety continue to grow too.
In past years, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has paid for jail repairs through its annual budget.
“We tried to alleviate the problem going through our budget again, However, the number’s just too big,” said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. “We’re dealing with a jail inspection that’s coming up probably next week. And probably again in the spring.”
The long list of fix-ups include new cell doors. Additionally, the jail’s access control system was damaged during a March power surge. As a result, safety conditions in the 2,000-plus inmate facility have degraded.
“Will we have the doors fixed next week? No. But, you know what, I will feel awfully good with TCI if we have a path forward…if we had a path,” said Bonner.
The sheriff’s department has already spent more than $5 million on repairs. It includes $1.5 million for 184 new doors. Another 502 doors would be replaced through a second contract. Any expenditure over $50,000 requires commission approval.
The problems don’t stop at the doors. A new walk-in freezer, along with HVAC system and lighting fixture repairs are needed.
“We can definitely meet the Dec. 31, 2024 deadline. We should have that to you within a month,” said SCSO Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Lindsey.
The SCSO balked at an alternative proposal presented by the county administration. It would supplement $10 million to pay for the repairs, while preserving funding for the mental health facility.
“We want to support the sheriff to provide him with the necessary tools to get past TCI. We also believe erecting this mental health facility is a game changer for Shelby County government. It can reduce costs as well,” said Shelby County CAO Harold Collins.
But, there was no mention of reimbursing the sheriff’s office for the $5 million already spent on repairs.
Critics also chided Bradford’s proposal for “kicking the can” down the road on a long-needed mental health facility.
“The state of the jail has been an emergency before the two years we’ve been on this body,” said Charlie Caswell. “We are not addressing the mental health issue in our jail. Individuals are sitting in jail without getting the mental health services that they need.”
Caswell, alternatively, proposed using CIP dollars slotted for Regional One to pay for the repairs to the jail. It failed to resonate, but it could be brought up again during the next discussion.
“This body needs to be prepared, whether we need to put Regional One on hold and use the CIP dollars in the Regional One budget to fix the things you’re asking for in that jail,” said Caswell.
During the meeting, Bonner said “a third of” the jail’s population’s struggles with mental health issues.
“Being a third of 2,400 inmates – that’s a big number,” said Bonner.
The proposed 60-bed mental health facility is estimated to cost $25 million and take two years to build.
In July, members rejected a $1.7 million contract design for the center. Like the center itself, it also would have drawn from ARPA funds.
Earlier in the year, commissioners approved $250,000 to study the costs of a new jail.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has said a new facility could cost $1 billion and take 10 years to complete.
Voting to send the resolution back to committee were chairwoman Miska Clay-Bibbs, Erika Sugarmon, Mickell Lowery, Shante Avant, Michael Whaley, Bradford and Caswell. Members Edmund Ford, Jr., Mick Wright, Britney Thornton, Brandon Morrison, Henri Brooks and Mills voted no.
