Two special called county meetings occurred on July 24, 2025, that will keep the jail construction timeline on track. The jail committee workshop listened to an in depth presentation by Spirit Architects that itemized the process for the new jail. Spirit Architects have made several visits to determine the specific and unique needs of Union County.
Union County Commission made progress on the jail property at the regular May meeting. Jim Langford, CEO of Spirit Architecture and a certified advisor on jail construction, evaluated the Hubbs property regarding construction. In his opinion, the price is very good compared to property cost for jails in surrounding counties and there is ample acreage for long term expansion. Langford commented that a high knoll would cause a lot of excavation, but overall the property is a good site. He noted that core drilling and a survey were needed to determine further information.
The Union County Commission voted to take an option with contingencies on a 12-acre property for the new jail at the October meeting.
Commissioner Sidney Jessee Jr., Jail Committee Chairman, explained the Jail Committee had narrowed the number of architects to three and were expecting to have interviews with each on November 12 at 6 p.m.
In the April 22 meeting Union County Commission learned that a private act would be needed to increase building permit fees. Recently the budget committee recommended raising the fees, but further investigation of the process found that when commission raised the cost of a building permit, it violated its own private act.
The new year brought Mayor Bailey’s first tiebreaker of his tenure at the Union County Commission meeting last month.
Sheriff Billy Breeding requested a mid-year budget amendment of new money to fund a correctional grade camera system. Prior to the commission meeting, the sheriff brought his proposal to the budget committee where it did not receive any action, therefore the proposal could be brought to the commission without a recommendation.
Jim Hart, Interim Manager and Jail Management Consultant for County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), reviewed the Union County Jail Needs Assessment for the joint meeting of the UC Jail Committee and the UC Commission on Thursday, February 1.
Hart noted several challenges in the current jail. The jail is an aging facility that regularly exceeds its maximum capacity of 76 inmates. He explained that the jail is considered overcrowded at 85% capacity or 64 inmates.
At the regular Union County Commission meeting in July, commissioners voted on a resolution to issue bonds to fund the new middle school.
Scott Gibson from Cumberland Securities and the county financial advisor explained the procedure. The bond resolution is for $26,250,000.
The bonds will be issued in three phases: $10M in 2023, $10M in 2024, and the balance of $6.25M in 2025. The payment is for 20 years with a four percent interest rate.