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Knox County delays transition of juvenile detention facility after CTAS review, cites payroll and staffing record issues
Summary
The juvenile board told commissioners a 90+-page CTAS/University of Tennessee assessment identified security, staffing and facility deficiencies and the sheriff needs more time to take operational control; the board requested extending the transition to July 1 amid budget and accrued-leave payout concerns.
The juvenile detention board asked the commission for more time to complete a planned transition of operational control to the sheriff, citing findings in a 90-plus-page CTAS and University of Tennessee assessment and unresolved personnel and budget issues.
"CTAS and our partners at the University of Tennessee ... delivered that to us last month. That was a 90 plus page report, outlining the pluses, the minuses, the deficiencies, some areas of concern from security, facility upgrades, staffing," juvenile board Chair Commissioner Jay said, adding the board now requests an extension of the transition date to July 1 to allow more time to address recommendations and budget timing tied to the fiscal year.
Jay said missing personnel records from the earlier administration created unanticipated payout liabilities: "...we had set forth this commission had put in place a 6 month timeline to transition operational control to the sheriff to start on January 1...there were no records present when the transition happened of any personnel time off...and everybody took the position...you owe me full leave." He said the facility "is not in crisis. It's stable. It's secure. It's safe," but that staffing and budget issues require more time.
Commissioners questioned payroll tracking and staff explained some departments historically tracked time off independently and were being moved onto the county payroll system; staff noted six or seven other departments similarly operated 'in their own bubble' and suggested the personnel committee or HR/finance should examine those cases.
Next steps: The juvenile board requested a July 1 extension for the transition and staff and committees were asked to review payroll and leave liabilities; no formal vote occurred at the agenda review.
