Cheatham County defers action on old jail while approving $41 million in bond-funded jail construction costs

Cheatham County commissioners deferred a decision on the fate of the county's historic jail on Dec. 18, saying they will gather more information before acting, while simultaneously approving bond-funded appropriations for construction of a new jail.

During the public forum at the start of the meeting, Glynda Johnson (4th District), Doris Sanders (1st District) and Mary Grey Jenkins (5th District) each spoke in favor of preserving the old jail building; Jenkins explicitly suggested converting the structure into a county museum. Chairman Tim Williamson opened public comment at 6:00 p.m.; the forum closed at 6:15 p.m.

The preservation pleas surfaced again during new-business discussion. Commissioner James Hedgepath cautioned that any preservation effort should not delay the start of the new jail project. Commissioner Walter Weakley and Commissioner Diana Lovell expressed support for preserving the building; Commissioner David Anderson asked for an estimate of repair costs, and citizen Ed Greer raised a parking concern. “Motion was made by Ms. Diana Lovell, seconded by Mr. David Anderson to defer any action on Jailhouse or Maintenance Building until January,” the clerk recorded; the motion carried by voice vote with one absence.

At the same meeting the legislative body approved a series of budget actions related to the county’s jail project. The body adopted appropriations moving bond proceeds into project accounts: $3,484,708.45 to reimburse architect and pre-closing fees and $41,087,362.15 for building construction, recorded under the Other Capital Projects — Jail Fund. Separately, commissioners approved a $970,727.43 transfer from the jail fund balance to the General Debt Service fund to make the first interest payment on the jail bonds. Those votes were recorded by roll call as 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent.

County Director of Accounts Sandrine Batts introduced the budget amendments and the jail-related transfers on behalf of the Budget Committee. County Mayor Kerry McCarver asked for the one-month deferral on structural changes so staff could gather additional information for commissioners to consider in January.

The deferral leaves two distinct but related tracks: community members and at least some commissioners want the old jail considered for preservation and reuse, while the county is moving forward with financing and construction of a new criminal justice facility. Commissioners who pushed for the deferral said it will allow time to collect cost estimates and evaluate whether preservation can coexist with the scheduled construction timeline.

The county will revisit the jailhouse and maintenance building at a January meeting; meanwhile, bond proceeds and debt-service transfers for the new Cheatham County Jail and Criminal Justice Facilities were authorized and appropriated at the Dec. 18 session.