Madison Co. passes budget, looks to potential jail

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Madison County commissioners look to the new fiscal year as they approved an architectural firm to design and project how much a new jail would cost.

With 84 percent of men and women who have been locked up in the past being locked up again in the future, Sheriff John Mehr said the county has to do something.

“It’s getting the process started. We’re looking at design, what we’re going to do, and how we’re going to go, because we’re going to look for the future, for the taxpayers,” Sheriff Mehr said. “But we also have to look for the future at what’s happening with people being incarcerated.”

Rosser International will be working with the sheriff’s office to look at future plans. There’s no cost or timeline yet, but Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris said he’s hoping to break ground on a project within a year.

“We also have to think about what we can do to get the families teaching their children so they won’t be walking in these steps,” Mehr said.

The commission also passed their 2016-2017 budget with major focuses on the sheriff’s office, the school system and the IT department.

The school system was approved to move forward with five capital projects, but commissioners say other projects have to be approved before other money is used.

“It’s really enhanced our communication with the school board in moving forward and developing a comprehensive five-year plan,” Commissioner Doug Stephenson said.

The commission said they are working with the school board to put together a five-year plan.

Capital projects for the school in their upcoming year include roof repairs, HVAC fixes and transportation costs.