Commission Seeking Proposals For Old County Jail

Huntsville, TN (2011-02-22) County officials are publishing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested parties to lease the old Scott County Jail.

Since the completion of the Scott County Justice Center in 2007, the old Scott County Jail has lain dormant. Over the course of time, the Scott County Commission has discussed many ideas for the use and continued viability of the facility; however, none have prevailed. To that end, the body passed a resolution Tuesday night to seek RFPs to lease the facility for possible use by a private concern. The Commission hopes to find an economically sustainable business to create additional jobs and revenue for the County, while preserving the historical value of the facility.

With the resolution approving the process, Finance Director Carol Lowe will work with County Mayor Jeff Tibbals, County Attorney John Beaty, and the County Building and Grounds Committee to solicit RFPs from interested parties, and to negotiate and review an acceptable lease. The Scott County Commission will have the right to either approve or reject the final proposal.

In other business Tuesday night, the Commission:

· Authorized Mayor Tibbals to file a 2011 HOME grant application with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) for up to $500,000, in funding to rehabilitate dilapidated low-income housing;

· Reappointed Robert Melhorn and Larry Crowley to four-year terms on the Scott County Communications District E-911 Board of Directors;

· Approved the execution of a Sublease Agreement with the South Scott County Volunteer Fire Department to allowed its continued use of state-owned property for its fire hall, an action taken pursuant to the terms of a 15-year lease signed by the County with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) granting the County use of the land;

· Approved a recommendation by Scott County Sheriff Mike Cross to declare one canine vehicle cargo insert as surplus, allowing for the sale of the unit to the Lafollette Police Department for $500; and,

· Declared February to be Children’s Dental Health Month in Scott County.