TOP PHOTO: General Sessions Judge Bill Jones addressed county commissioners at Monday’s workshop seeking approval to apply for a grant.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – General Sessions Judge Bill Jones addressed county commissioners at Monday’s workshop.

Judge Jones informed them he had held his first recovery court last week and currently had five participants. He asked the commission to approve for his office to apply for a grant to help fund the program in order to “grow it.”

“We want to apply for state grant funds for Recovery Court funding and we need a commissioner to carry that so we can apply for those grant funds. We only have five participants right now; we are wanting to grow that,” Judge Jones said, adding that, “we would like to have 30 to 40 participants.”

According to the judge, the “main cost” for the Recovery Court program is the cost of drug screenings, which could cost $15,000 or more a year, which is where grant funding would come in.

Commissioner Dewayne Gibson said he would carry that request at next Monday’s meeting. 

Judge Jones also said he needs the commission to approve the creation of a line item in the county’s finance department for funds that come in through Recovery Court to be deposited and kept track of to go back into the program.

“In Recovery Court, you collect a fee from participants, usually  $1,000 per participant, so we are asking to create a line item in finance and need commission approval,” Jones said. 

Commissioner Scott Kitts said he would carry that to be voted on next week. 

Judge Jones also told commissioners he had appointed local attorney Jake Shipley as a magistrate to handle bond issues if he was absent. This will take commission approval.

The position is unpaid, and Shipley volunteered to do it, according to Jones. 

“It gives him the power to step in and cover setting bonds if I’m sick or on vacation. Jake Shipley is an attorney that works with Rob Asbury,” Jones said. 

Commission Scott Kitts will carry that to be voted on as well at Monday’s Commission meeting.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/12/2023-6AM)

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