CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A resolution is currently going before the County Commission that looks to accept a Public Improvements Program and Capital Budget, which is considered a financial tool for future public improvement projects, that extends through 2031-32.

While being considered a financial tool for Montgomery County, the Public Improvements Program and Capital Budget is also said to act as a guideline and information source when considering future budgets. Currently, the program and budget list 74 different projects and their descriptions, some of which are existing projects.

However, that list also includes $6 million being outlined for a juvenile rehabilitation center. But it was clarified that the proposed Public Improvements Program and Capital Budget should be considered a county wish list and no funds have been approved for such a center at this time.

Proposed program outlined by Montgomery County, RPC

According to the resolution, the Public Improvements Program and Capital Budget was compiled by Montgomery County, as well as the Regional Planning Commission, for an ongoing annual process of constructive feedback from various departments, boards, agencies and commissions of the county.

With a juvenile rehabilitation center being listed to the estimated tune of $6 million between fiscal years 2028 and 2029, several residents addressed their concerns with the wish list project.

Concerns over need for positive resources, outsourced contractors

Resident Ora Dorsey said that Montgomery County doesn’t need a juvenile rehabilitation center, rather, positive resources are needed instead. “Resources that build children up,” Dorsey said. “Not a jail that leads them straight into the prison pipeline.”

She said she has concerns that the juvenile rehabilitation center will work similar to the county jail. “A building filled with outsourced contractors with no accountability,” Dorsey said. “Before this county builds a new facility for children, it needs to answer for the one it already has for adults.”

Dorsey said she recently visited the Montgomery County Jail and nearly every essential service is contracted out. She said that includes medical, dental and mental health services, as well as technology used by inmates.

“Our tax dollars are paying outside vendors for the responsibility for people in our custody; companies that don’t answer to the voters the way the commission does,” she said.

Resident Monica Meeks also spoke out about her concerns in regard to the juvenile rehabilitation center and said the community will be watching the situation closely.

Program compared to wish list for county, no obligation to projects

When the resolution was introduced to the commission, Commissioner Rashidah Leverett said that the proposal can be compared to a vision board for the county.

“If you made a vision board for every year of your life, you put those things you want to do on the board, and that’s what this capital improvement plan is,” Leverett said. “It does not obligate us to anything we have not voted on.”

Golden added and said each department is the one submitting their plans and ideas for the future. “But each one of these has to go through the whole budget process and planning process,” he said.

Previous coverage and conversation of a Juvenile Resource Center being in Montgomery County:

Other proposals heading into County Commission’s formal meeting on Monday, Sept. 14:

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