County Working to Address HVAC Issues at County Jail

Article by Steve Corlew

Maintenance crews worked overnight on Wednesday, August 12^th, to repair the air conditioning at the Henderson County Criminal Justice Center after an issued caused a malfunction in the system’s control board.

As outside temperatures were near 100 degrees due to the heat wave, by Thursday morning, the temperature inside the woman’s housing pod had been brought back down to 73 degrees, which is within the Tennessee Correctional Institute standards.

Maintenance personnel were able to troubleshoot the problem and reprogrammed the unit to work through the conventional thermostat, according to Mayor Robbie McCready.

“We appreciate our maintenance personnel and jail staff for working quickly to address the issue,” Mayor McCready said. “We will continue monitoring the system and evaluating the long-term repairs and replacement needs of the facility.

According to the mayor, since 2023 the county has replaced 28 units at the facility, but due to budget restraints they cannot replace all the units at one time.

The Criminal Justice Complex is over 16 years old and has reached the point where several major systems require repair or replacement.

The building was built in 2010, and the $14.9 million project was funded by a $20 increase to the county’s wheel tax. The Justice Complex includes the jail, court offices, sheriff’s department and Henderson County 911 dispatch center.

In 2020-2021, funding previously budgeted for repairs at the complex were redirected for the construction of a new elevator at the Henderson County Courthouse which was necessary to maintain compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Although the repair and improvement process has begun at the Henderson County Criminal Justice Complex, significant work remains.

“The safety, security, and well-being of everyone housed and working at the facility remain a priority while the necessary repairs are completed,” McCready stated. “Henderson County appreciates the patience and understanding of the public, facility employees, and the families of those housed at the jail as maintenance personnel work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. “

Mayor McCready said that the County Commission will need to address the long-term needs of the facility.

“The incoming County Commission will have the opportunity to consider those needs alongside other major priorities, including improvements to our county roads and highways,” McCready said.