By REBECCA FERRAR
Knoxville News-Sentinel
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Knox County officials are moving forward with plans for a new jail intake center downtown that could save prisoner transport costs and put more officers on patrol, although they want to know if the city of Knoxville will help pay for the estimated $12 million to $15 million building.
County Commission’s Intergovernmental Committee today will consider a request for a feasibility study and public input on the facility, after the Finance Committee on Monday recommended ascertaining the exact cost of such a study by January’s commission meeting.
A study that includes engineering and design estimates and preconstruction services would cost about $440,000, estimated Dale Smith, CEO of the Public Building Authority that runs the City County Building, where the main jail is located.
The proposed 40-bed intake center on Hill Avenue lawn adjacent to the City County Building would hold prisoners up to 72 hours.
Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones said about $1.8 million a year is spent on 30 officers to transport prisoners about 15 miles to the Knox County Detention Facility on Maloneyville Road, plus another $450,000 on gas.
“We could cut that back to 10 officers and have 20 officers patrolling and protecting our citizens,” Jones said.
Finance Committee members asked if the city will contribute to the new facility.
Randy Kenner, spokesman for Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, said the city can’t comment because it hasn’t received details.
Former Sheriff Tim Hutchison moved the intake center, where suspects are fingerprinted and photographed, from downtown to Maloneyville Road in December 1998. He said the move improved safety, noting several escapes. Then-Police Chief Phil Keith said the move cost officers time and money.
Also Monday, the Finance Committee:
Denied a proposal by Chairman Paul Pinkston to forbid unbudgeted spending except for schools, health and law enforcement. Spending beyond the budget needs commission approval. “This is more of a symbolic thing. ... We’re sitting on the largest chance of going into a Great Depression in my lifetime,” said Pinkston, 70.
Supported a motion by Pinkston and Ivan Harmon to have Hillcrest Healthcare send state inspection reports to commission, rather than asking the county grand jury to conduct inspections, as originally proposed by Pinkston. The grand jury reports on jail conditions.
Copyright 2008 Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.