The Knox County Commission is again revisiting plans to develop a
safety center that houses and treats the mentally ill who are arrested
for nonviolent crimes, and this time local leaders say they expect
something to get done.
For years, officials have engaged in
on-again-off-again talks to build such a facility, but proposals often
have fallen through because of funding.
However, a handful of
commissioners and several representatives from the Knox County Sheriff’s
Office plan to hold a short public meeting on Friday to iron out some
of the details. Then on Feb. 16, the full commission will talk more
during a special meeting.
A week later – and during its regular
monthly voting meeting on Feb. 22 – the board is expected to start the
bidding process to determine who could operate such a facility.
“This
is something that the commission wants to do but we need to get this
right,” Commissioner Randy Smith said. “We only get one shot. If we
throw something together and it falls on its face and fails, then we
will lose the trust of the public. “
County leaders have long
talked about building a facility to combat jail overcrowding at the
Maloneyville Road detention center, and help those with mental health
issues get the care they need. But, commissioners say they need the
county, state and city to each chip in $1 million to get the operation
up and running.
The county set aside its share several years, but the state and city have often hesitated to commit.
The
county years ago even accepted bids to build and operate a center but
only Helen Ross McNabb submitted a proposal. No action was taken
regarding that submission.
Officials, however, say it will be different this time around.
“I
would be shocked if we don’t move forward on this,” commission Vice
Chairman Bob Thomas said. “I have stressed to everyone that we need to
get it done and I think everyone agrees. I feel confident that in the
coming 12 months we’re going to move forward.”
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