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Commission authorizes up to $350,000 RFQ for Justice Center study after ad hoc recommendations
Summary
The commission voted to allocate up to $350,000 from commission contingency to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a consultant to study renovation vs. relocation options for the Justice Center, including capacity, mental-health needs, and construction costs; debate focused on timing ahead of a new commission and contingency account balance (~$532,466).
The Shelby County Commission approved a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to study the county Justice Center’s renovation-versus-relocation options and to estimate construction costs, funding the RFQ process from the commission contingency account up to $350,000.
Vice Chair David C. Bradford Jr., sponsor of the item, said the amount is based on input from qualified consultants and ad hoc committee recommendations that followed a prior CTAS review. He said the RFQ would let the next administration and the incoming commission see options and cost estimates for renovating the existing facility or relocating it, and would provide estimates of required beds and mental-health services. Finance Director Audrey Tipton confirmed the current contingency balance of approximately $532,466; commissioners debated whether to act now or let the incoming commission decide, while supporters argued the procurement timeline (roughly 60 days to get proposals, 12 months for study completion) means earlier action gets data sooner.
Why it matters: The Justice Center has been flagged for operational and safety concerns; the RFQ aims to produce an evidence-based foundation for multi-year capital planning. The commission approved the RFQ (recorded vote: 10 ayes, 1 no, 1 abstain) and added sponsors; staff noted the study may take up to 12 months and the RFQ procurement roughly 60 days to prepare and release.
