Clay Officials Meeting With State On Jail Prospects

The Clay County Mayor and Sheriff meeting with the Tennessee Corrections Institute to come up with possible solutions on the Clay County Jail project.

Clay County proposed plans to build a new jail in 2021. The project came in $11 million over budget during last year’s assessment. Clay County Sheriff Brandon Boone said the jail project is at a crossroads.

“At this point the jail is sort of stalled for a little bit till we can figure out the money that people is paying in will taxes,” Boone said. “Obviously its being, its in a reserve account, its just building there for the county for when they do make a decision.”

The county has made adjustments to the proposed jail in hopes to get the cost down to around $14 million. There’s been talk about another study of the project, but Boone said county officials are hesitant to spend over $100,000 only to get similar results.

“I think the county is struggling with paying that amount of money with no guarantee that its gonna come in within that price range,” Boone said. “But you know ultimately the commissioners is the one that makes the decision as far as if we move forward with a jail, I’ve been here 28 years and I want a jail as bad as anyone.”

Boone said he has tried to downsize the facility from what he and commissioners originally wanted, in an attempt to cut costs.

“The county was anticipating housing other inmates from outside the county to bring in additional revenue to help pay for the jail,” Boone said. “The extra beds was going to help finance it or help pay for it, so that may have to be cut out.”

Boone said the current jail has been able to stay certified because they are under a plan of action by TCI.