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Cocke County Corrections Partnership
Several members of the Cocke County Corrections Partnership met in workshop Thursday evening, primarily to discuss the Partnership owned spec building as a possible jail. The building is situated on 7.5 acres off Cope Boulevard and is adjacent to the county owned former "Jack Farm" which encompasses 90 acres. The building has been on the market at a price of $1.3 million, however the Partnership currently owes about $511,000 on the site. Cocke County Mayor Crystal Ottinger said an architect's review was positive for the high ceiling which allow for an overhead catwalk. And she said there is little concern regarding the flood plain. Commissioner Robert Green suggested because the metal building is only a shell, it would be easier to work with, but he said having small cells instead of a large open area, would be more of a punishment for those in custody. The planned Newport Bypass would not go over the site, but would be just to the north of the building. Mayor Ottinger said she has asked USDA to provide information on the cost of borrowing various amount ranging from $10 to $30 million. The body also talked about the possibility of extending Main Street west to Cope Boulevard. Newport Planning Director Gary Carver said there likely is state funding available for extending the street, and such a move would open up an additional area for development. There have been suggestions that a facility be built over several years to reduce the amount of money that would have to be borrowed, however CLB Chair Clay Blazer argued for building what will be needed in one project. "I just think whatever you are going to do, we need to do it now. If we wait five or ten years we are going to end up spending double what it would cost now. What would cost $15 million now, will turn into $25 to $30 million later," Blazer said. "So we need to bite the bullet while you are doing it." Mayor Ottinger said there may be a way to cut down on inmate transportation costs by putting a courtroom at the jail, and Commissioner Robert Green suggested inmate arraignments could be conducted by video conferencing between the courthouse and the jail. Green also suggested a way to address the overcrowding issue as well as the skyrocketing medical costs, would be to implement an inmate GPS ankle bracelet system. The current budget earmarked $170,000 for medical expenses but those costs now have risen to over $500,000, and has meant a transfer of monies from other areas of the budget to meet the costs. "Looking at the medical expenses and the overcrowding issue, the cost of food and clothing, and several other factors, seems to me that this could cut down on jail costs," Green said. The commissioner believes GPS monitors should be considered for all inmates who qualify, not only those with medical issues. " All inmates that meet the criteria, which judges or other people would determine."
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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