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The effort to complete the new Justice Center is entering the homestretch.

In Monday’s Hamblen County Committees meeting, Jaron Dowalter, of BurWil Construction, told commissioners that there has been a lot of activity recently with the soon to open Justice Center. It is hoped that inmates will start to move into the new Justice Center the week of March 16, according to County Mayor Chris Cutshaw.

“We’re seeing a lot of movement,” Dowalter said. “(The offices) are starting to move in. The only outstanding items that we’re looking at are some doors being replaced with stains that didn’t match throughout the courtrooms. All of that is taking place this week. Equipment is being installed.”

Dowalter said that Blaine Construction has two electricians and two plumbers on site to deal with any problems that might take place prior to opening.

“If something’s not working, there are people there to help immediately,” he said. “If there are any items beyond that, (the county) has everyone on speed dial readied and cued up to be there as quickly as possible to help with this transition over the next week. Besides that, everything looks beautiful and I think everybody is ready to get in to utilize this space.”

The sally port doors will be replaced this week prior to opening of the Justice Center for business, Dowalter said.

Non-matching grant for new HCSO van

HCSO Captain David Cribley approached the committee about a grant program that includes a transport vehicle for the HCSO and overtime pay for deputies. Cribley explained that this is a program that the HCSO is federally bound to.

“We’re already doing it, so we might as well get a benefit out of it,” Cribley said. “The head of the Department of Homeland Security detainees have come to us. We already run this program in-house at the jail, so why not get a van out of it?”

The grant would be a one-time award of $80,000 to $100,000 for a van to be used for transportation of detainees. When not being used for transporting detainees, the van can be used for other Sheriff’s Office transportation needs.

One commissioner asked if the county could get the van by just asking for it, to which Cribley answered “Yes.”

“They will pay overtime if we have to have any (deputies) come in to transport to Knoxville,” Cribley said. “At any other time, that van is at liberty for us to use how we want it, for transporting prisoners, whatever. As long as it’s available to transfer illegal immigrants to Knoxville when they need it, then they’re OK with it.”

This was approved to be considered at the March 19 County Commission meeting.

Use of Opioid Abatement Fund for Therapeutic Play Equipment

Jaime Greene, assistant superintendent of Hamblen County Schools, appeared before the commission to discuss using part of the County’s Opioid Abatement Settlement for playground equipment at Miller Boyd Alternative School’s Transition Academy. Greene said that the county secured a grant from an Opioid Settlement Class Action lawsuit to open a center for students who are having difficulty with behaviors.

Greene suggested that some of the Opioid Abatement Settlement funds be used to provide therapeutic play equipment at the Transition Academy. Greene said that the county was able to draw a direct connection between Opioid epidemic effects on the community and increased behaviors in children.

“A lot of children are experiencing ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences,’” Greene said. “That therapeutic playground equipment will be used as part of their behavior therapy. It’s how they get out and learn to cooperate with each other, to communicate better.

Change Directive for

Health Department

A Construction Change Directive for the new Hamblen County Health Department Complex for $11,989 was placed on the County Commission agenda. A Change Directive requires the contractor to show proof that the money is needed for the particular change. Cutshaw said that this Change Directive involves relocation of a natural gas meter, which requires iron pipes and plumbing to rectify. Cutshaw said that it was suggested in Change Order No. 2 that the meter would have to be removed. The gas lines would be added to accommodate relocation of the gas meter.

Bid Tabulation for the Cherokee Park Paving Project

“The county received a $110,000 tourism grant to be applied to Cherokee Park with a 10% match,” Cutshaw said. “Most of that has been dispensed, $63,000 has been paid out. We had this bid that came in that we’re recommending to pave 23 campsites there.”

One bid was $147,000, while the other was $105,000, according to Cutshaw. The county will go with the $50,000 bid of a local company.

Budget Amendments

Budget amendments were approved for consideration by the commission include $18,000 for Circuit Court; $18 for the Jail; $20,149.03 for purchase of kitchen equipment for the new Justice Center; A $57,320 offset of revenue for the Parks and Fair Boards; Two Sheriff’s Office funds for $3,500 (a merger of the Sex Offender Registry Administrative position with a new HCSO Detective position) and $2,296.69 (Insurance proceeds); and $3,286,570.75 for paving projects this spring and summer.