JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Campbell County Commission conducted mostly routine business at its Monday night meeting, pausing briefly to go into private executive session to discuss a lawsuit involving the Campbell County jail.The item was not on the agenda, forcing the commission to suspend rules in order to discuss the details. After a brief discussion on whether the lawsuit should be discussed in public, commissioners agreed to clear the courtroom while County Attorney Joe Coker explained the matter.

Coker told commissioners that the lawsuit brought against the county in U. S. District Court does not request a monetary compensation, meaning that the county’s insurance does not cover the costs of litigation. For that reason the commission will have to hire an attorney to represent Campbell County, he explained.

Although the details of the legal action were not discussed in public, other sources indicated that the lawsuit was filed in federal court on behalf of three inmates at the jail, challenging some jail practices and policies.

Since no money is involved, the county’s insurance carrier will not provide legal representation. After reconvening the meeting, Rusty Orick made a motion, seconded by Scott Kitts, to retain the services of attorney Rhonda Bradshaw to fight the lawsuit. That motion was approved unanimously before commissioners moved on to other business.

Other items that had to be added to the agenda through a suspension of rules were less dramatic. The commission voted to approve a lease agreement for a copier at Valley View Elementary and also to approve an amended contract with TVA that will provide an increase of $18,000 in payments to Campbell County for the control of litter on TVA lands in and around Murrayville.

Both items were approved unanimously with the TVA contract pending approval from the Finance Director.

The commission also discussed repeated complaints from builders and contractors involving building codes and in particular, the state inspector in charge of enforcing the codes in Campbell County. Rusty Orick asked for the commission’s blessing to meet one on one with higher state officials about the inspector and that request was approved unanimously.

Ralph Davis then brought up several items, including changes in policy for the Campbell County Beer Board. Coker told commissioners that their approval for the policy changes was not required since the Beer Board is a separate entity that by state law can set its own rules.

Davis announced that in future no special called meetings of the Beer Board will be held, with the board meeting on the third Monday of each month. Persons applying for a beer permit will have their application scheduled for that date and must appear in person or the application will be denied.

Davis also brought up several items from the Building & Grounds Committee involving replacement of windows in the courthouse with new bullet –proof windows, replacement of some courthouse doors and work on the brick walls at the Campbell County Animal Shelter along with a concrete pad at the shelter to support new kennels.

A motion by Davis to request bids for replacement of courthouse windows with the exception of those in the Property Assessor’s office was approved, assuming that the bids come in within the $68,000 already appropriated for the work.   (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/20/2019-NOON)

 

 

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