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Commission votes to rescind $1.5 million men's 'jail-to-work' grant over county cost concerns
Summary
Hamblen County's commission voted to rescind acceptance of a $1.5 million state grant to start a men's jail-to-work program after the mayor said the grant would require a county match of roughly $750,000–$1,000,000 over three years.
County Mayor Chris Cutshall told the finance committee that a $1.5 million state grant intended to start a men's "jail-to-work" program would not fund operations and would require a significant county contribution over three years. "It was discovered that $1,500,000 grant from the state of Tennessee would not pay for the operation of the entire program and that it would still take more from our county government to get this program off the ground," Cutshall said, recommending the commission rescind the grant.
Commissioner discussion noted the program's potential merit and referenced a successful women's program run with partner McNabb Center, but several commissioners said the county could not absorb the additional $750,000–$1,000,000 required to operate the men's program. The finance committee moved to rescind the grant; the motion was made by Mister Reed and seconded by Mister Richardson and carried on a voice vote.
Members also discussed whether a scaled or grant-modeled approach could be revisited later and emphasized priorities for courthouse and sheriff's department renovations ahead of pursuing new costly programs.
The committee’s action removes the county from accepting or implementing the grant at this time; staff may revisit alternatives or seek supplemental grants if county financial exposure can be reduced.
