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The Hamblen County Commission opened its most recent monthly meeting with news many county officials have waited years to share. The county’s new Justice Center is now fully operational.

County Mayor Chris Cutshaw told commissioners the transition to the new facility had been completed and officially turned the floor over to Sheriff Chad Mullins, who described the logistics behind the move.

Mullins said the transfer of inmates from the old jail to the new Justice Center was completed in roughly three hours, far faster than expected.

“What should have taken 24 to 32 hours to complete took only three hours,” Mullins said, noting that the process went smoothly thanks to assistance from surrounding counties.

Deputies from Anderson, Loudon, Sullivan, and Washington counties traveled to Hamblen County to assist with the operation. In total, about 300 inmates were transported during the move, which occurred without incident. For a period during the transition, officials were required to operate both the old jail and the new facility at the same time.

Cutshaw described the completion of the Justice Center as a long-awaited milestone and a significant investment in the county’s future.

“This has been a long time coming,” Cutshaw said. “It’s an investment for our community, and one that should mean we won’t have to build another jail in our lifetime.”

Commissioners also discussed an opioid settlement grant application and a memorandum of understanding originally approved in August 2024 between the city of Morristown and Hamblen County.

The agreement referenced the county’s Opioid Abatement Committee several times.

However, because that committee has been abolished, commissioners discussed amending the agreement to remove references to the now-defunct group.

Commissioners also raised questions about invoices submitted by grant administrator former County Mayor Bill Brittain dated February 2 and March 11, 2023, which contained identical information.

Officials said that grant invoices typically should be itemized. Commissioners also discussed how members of the former opioid abatement committee were notified of the committee’s dissolution.

Discussion concluded with commissioners acknowledging the need to work with the city of Morristown before moving forward with any changes to the agreement.

Several other agenda items were approved with little discussion.

Commissioners approved a 60-month statewide lease agreement for Canon copier machines that will allow the county to replace equipment at the end of the term before bringing forward a new contract.

The commission also approved participation in the Tennessee America 250 grant program, which will commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The county expects to receive an $8,000 reimbursement grant from the state to produce a video highlighting Tennessee’s role in the nation’s founding.

Officials said the project will focus on the lowland communities of the region and the finished video may also be used by the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce for tourism promotion.

Commissioners approved funding related to the Hamblen County Health Department as well as the Cherokee Park paving project under Bid ITB 2026-05.

The commission also approved several budget amendments, including merging the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department sex offender registry administrative position with a new detective position.

Commissioners also approved participation in a participation in a program involving the sheriff’s department that includes a transport vehicle and overtime pay for deputies.

Following the meeting, Mullins explained the program involves an agreement that allows the county to receive a specialized armored transport vehicle at no cost if the agreement is approved.

Mullins said the agreement allows deputies to transport undocumented individuals being held in the Hamblen County jail to federal authorities in Knoxville as requested by Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Previously, Hamblen Homeland Security would be called to pick up the inmates if they wanted.

“If it doesn’t pass the sniff test, I won’t do it since it seems too good to be true,” Mullins said of the grant opportunity.

He added that once acquired, the vehicle would remain property of the sheriff’s department even if future administration policies change.

Another discussion centered on the Miller-Boyd program and the use of opioid settlement funds to support students affected by trauma linked to opioid abuse. Superintendent Arnold Bunch told commissioners the school system is prepared to use the funding as soon as it becomes available.

“We will spend the funds as soon as they are available to us,” Bunch said.

The funding will support the construction of a playground serving students at the Transition and Alternative Elementary School.

The meeting concluded with routine calendar items and additional budget amendments passing before the commission adjourned.