The voices of Claiborne County voters should be heard regarding the controversial jail expansion, says Joe Brooks, county resident and outspoken opponent of the expansion.
Brooks has fought the Claiborne County Commission’s funding the expansion from almost the beginning, saying in public meetings that through his research he’s found that the project may not pay for itself because there is no guaranteed number of discretionary prisoners that will be housed in the Claiborne County Jail – something Sheriff David Ray has said should not decrease, and may in fact increase.
Ray said during the January commission meeting that he foresees no tax increases within the next ten years, if the expansion project goes forward.
“If I knew it would cost the taxpayers one dime, I’d stand before this (commission board) and say, ‘vote no,’” said Ray.
During the discussion, County Mayor Jack Daniels reminded those present of the well over three years spent sweating over the expansion project. Nashville, Daniels said, gave the county marching orders to make major progress to correct the overcrowding situation. If it isn’t corrected, the jail will be decertified.
“I promise you one thing, that when this jail is decertified, the taxpayers will pay the effects,” said Daniels.
The commissioners passed the resolution to move ahead with the expansion with a 12-9 vote. This month, they are to discuss and decide how to fund it.
A general obligation bond will likely be issued – and those bonds are backed by property tax revenue.
Tennessee voters are able to petition for a referendum on projects paid by bond issues – and Brooks says that is what he plans to fight for.
If the commission passes a resolution to fund the $11 million-plus expansion through a bond issue, a public notice will be issued. According to state law, from the date of the resolution’s passage, anyone has 20 days to get enough certifiable signatures on a petition to put the issue to a referendum – a vote on the next ballot.
According to Brooks, the number of certified signatures is based on 10 percent of the number of active voters in the county.
“We need approximately 1,600 signatures that can be verified,” he said, adding that he has talked extensively with local and state officials regarding the subject. The Tennessee Code Annotated covers the laws regarding referendums.
Once the signatures are obtained within the 20 days, they have to be verified within ten days, Brooks added, which means the petition would be sent to the State Election Commission in Nashville and back to the Claiborne County Election Commission.
Brooks said that if there are enough certified signatures on the petition, a resolution for the commission would be drafted to put the referendum to a vote – to let Claiborne County voters decide whether or not to obtain a bond issuance to pay for the expansion.
“There are two options then,” Brooks said. “If the commissioners adopt the new resolution, it can go on the ballot in November (the next election) and the county won’t be out any money for a special election. They could choose to have a special election and have to pay the expenses associated with that.”
The second option, he said, is that the commission could decide not to adopt the resolution.
“Then the bond issue is dead and there’s no jail expansion,” Brooks said.
Brooks insists that anyone of any opinion can sign the petition – in fact, he said that’s what he wants people to do.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people who say the citizens of Claiborne County should be able to vote on it, and that’s all I want to do,” he said. “I want to help our voters’ voices be heard.”
Brooks said that if anyone has questions or would like to help in the petition effort, they are welcome to call him at 865-898-3592.
The next County Commission meeting will be Feb. 22, due to the President’s Day holiday. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the large courtroom of the Claiborne County Courthouse.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.