Commissioners to vote on new jail site

Sevier County Commissioners will be considering a resolution to accept the county fairgrounds property as the site for a new minimum security detention facility, at their regular monthly meeting, Monday. The county is currently being sued for overcrowded conditions at its current jail site. The proposed minimum security facility would supplement the current jail. According to county Sheriff Bruce Montgomery, the lawsuit is still making its way through the courts. According to the resolution, a special committee appointed to study and select a site for the facility has met for one year and has agreed on the fairgrounds site. Also, commissioners will be considering several new appointees to county positions. The term of a member of the Sevier County Public Library Board of Directors has expired, and, David Sarten would be appointed as replacement, if the resolution passes. A second resolution appoints Larry (Bud) Ogle to serve on the county Public Building Authority, the county Industrial Development Board and the county Health, Educational and Housing Facilities boards. Ogle will be replacing William Stevens, who passed away in September. The General Sessions Judges have recommended Albert Snyder to be appointed as Judicial Commissioner Supervisor. Also, a resolution recommending that two temporary Judicial Commissioners—Dean Lewis and Albert Snyder—be appointed as permanent members to serve a full term, ending August 2006. The County Commission meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the county courthouse in downtown Sevierville.