Commission approves contract to house juveniles for Humphreys County; judge says new facility sizing accounted for outside placements

The Williamson County Board of Commissioners on July 14 approved a contract authorizing the county mayor to enter into an agreement with Humphreys County to house juveniles at the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Center. Commissioner Judy Herbert explained that the contract continues a longstanding practice but was adjusted because juvenile services had increased capacity; the resolution (7-25-22) passed 19–1–1.

Judge Megan Guffey, who answered commissioners’ questions during the meeting, said the county factored interjurisdictional housing into the planning for a larger facility. "We did factor that into the number of beds," Guffey said. She also described current operations: Williamson County currently operates 12 beds and, she said, would house contract youth from other jurisdictions only when there is capacity — "perhaps 2 beds at most" under typical conditions. Guffey noted that when the county recently lacked beds it had to place youth in another county at a cost of about $200 per day.

Commissioner Lisa Hayes asked whether contracts for outside juveniles were considered in sizing the new facility; Guffey confirmed that projections were part of the planning and said she would provide additional detail from the master plan after the meeting. Commissioner Sturgeon expressed concern about building capacity for outside placements; Guffey reiterated that Williamson County prioritizes county youth and would use out-of-county housing only when beds are available.

The resolution passed with 19 yes, one no and one abstention. The contract is described in the meeting materials as an ongoing intercounty arrangement to house juveniles, adjusted to reflect increased juvenile-services capacity.