MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Funding for the Shelby County jail has been a back-and-forth battle between the Shelby County Sherriff's Office (SCSO) and the Shelby County Commissioners.
However, during Wednesday's county commissioners committee meeting, commissioners agreed to pay for emergency repairs at 201 Poplar Avenue. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr was able to have the county commission agree to $10 million of the $17 million he said was needed for jail repairs.
Bonner told ABC24 most of the $10 million will only replace doors on jail cells that are not able to lock. He said more money is needed to make other repairs that will keep the jail from losing its certification.
At the committee meeting, commissioners discussed how much money and where funds should be reallocated to pay for those emergency needs. Half of the $10 million, if approved, will come from federal funding and the rest will come from the county's general budget.
According to Sheriff Bonner, Jr. he wanted the remaining $7 million to fund a plan for a new mental health facility.
Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon said if they do not spend the federal funding by a certain time, it could be a longer timeframe before jail repairs are handled.
"This is a one-time shot with ARPA funding that we can do this, and if we miss this then it might be years down the road before he gets that mental health facility," Sugarmon said.
Bonner said it's not his intention to take away funds designated for the mental health needs of the community.
"I don't want the public to think I'm trying to take any money away from mental health - mental health is sorely needed throughout our community," he said.
Shelby County Commissioners told Sheriff Bonner, Jr. the remaining $7 million he's requested will have to come from his budget.
Sugarmon told ABC24 any elected officials who doesn't use funds from their budget can return those funds. She said Sheriff Bonner, Jr in recent years has returned a total of $30 million to the general county fund.
"We've identified problems. We're bringing it to the commission because obviously it's their opportunity or their job to fund these repairs," Bonner said.
Although a new jail is needed, Bonner said they're not only concerned about public safety, but there's a state inspection expected to happen soon.
"TCI - it is an unannounced type inspection so we're thinking or believing that it's going to be this week or probably again in the spring sometime," Bonner said.
Bonner told ABC24 they have a 40-year-old building with a lot of issues, which include power surges, jail cell locks, and cell doors.
"We're talking about cars, we're talking about officers being able to work overtime as needed. People might think it's not a public safety issue, but it really is when we have to manage our budget," he said.
Commissioner Sugarmon said approval of the $10 million won't come until Sept. 23, 2024. She said she's confident there are enough votes to pass the money needed for emergency jail repairs.