Capital outlay note approved by commission

December 15, 2005

HUNTSVILLE — While the approval of a plan for a new jail or jail-justice center complex was expected to be one of the main items on county commission’s agenda Monday night, it was barely discussed.

Acting on the advice of County Mayor Dwight Murphy, the commissioners shelved that topic until it can be further discussed in a Jan. 9, 2006 work session.

Murphy, who won’t be leading that discussion but moving on to a new job, asked that the commissioners take their time and make the right decision.

He said that after a week-long planning session with the architects last week, it appears that whatever decision the commission makes, it’s going to be a burden on the taxpayers.

Murphy, speaking of the $10+ million price tag for a complete jail-justice center, said it was simply too high a cost, and the other options outlined by SouthBuild were also very expensive. He added that if he had to make a recommendation tonight, it would be to build a jail only.

It was Murphy’s hope that before obligating millions of dollars to a jail facility and/or a jail justice center complex, the commissioners would also think about the needs of the county’s school system. “My recommendation is to not take any action tonight,” he said.

A motion by Rick Burke to postpone any action on the jail-justice center issue until after the Jan. 9 work session carried by a 13-0 vote.

By an 8-5 vote, county commission has authorized the issuance of a $350,000 capital outlay note, primarily for school furnishings and equipment.

The motion to approve the note for capital improvements, which includes the purchase of new bleachers for the Scott High Gym ($150,000) and classroom furnishings for other school buildings ($75,000 to $80,000), was made by Mike Slaven.

And immediately after the motion was made, some commissioners voiced their objections, including Leonard Bertram, who said he felt the county shouldn’t be purchasing things “when it’s not essential.” Rick Russ, meanwhile, said he did not like issuing “a blank check.”

Mayor Dwight Murphy, who introduced the capital outlay note for the commission’s consideration, said the condition of the 30-year-old fold-away bleachers at the Scott High Gym represented “a life-threatening situation” and needed to be replaced.

When the vote came, no votes were cast by Bertram, Russ, Ron Blevins, Odeva Byrd and Jack Sexton. Eight other commissioners voted aye and the measure carried.

In other business Monday night, the commission approved a request to expand the jurisdiction of the Scott County General Sessions Court Judge to include hearing divorce and custody cases, worker’s compensation cases and mental health commitment cases. Such a move would virtually make the judge’s job a full time position and necessitate a salary increase for the judge (up to a requested $95,000) and clerical help.

Now that the request has been approved by the commission, it will be forwarded to Rep. Les Winningham and Sen. Tommy Kilby for introduction as a Private Act in the upcoming session of the Tennessee General Assembly. After its passage there, it must come back to the commission for a two-thirds vote to ratify it.

Murphy told the commission that this was the only window they would have to consider such a measure as the judge’s salary or duties cannot be altered during the course of the eight-year term of office. If approved, the measure would take effect on September 1, 2006, the date that begins a new eight-year term for the General Sessions Judge.

Also Monday night, the commission:

• Approved allowing the director and one paramedic from the Scott County Ambulance Service to attend the annual meeting of the national Emergency Medical Services in Baltimore, Maryland;

• Voted to seek an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant to study the development of a tourism trail and heritage corridor in Scott County; and

• Approved a lease agreement with the Morgan Scott Project for office space in the Scott County Help Center (old Capital Hill school building).

newsroom@ihoneida.com

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