Lewis County Government recognized for its Justice Center Project

Lewis County Government recently received a "County Success Story Award" from the Tennessee County Services Association, in recognition of its successful Justice Center project that was completed in March of 2021.

The award was presented to Lewis County officials at the annual TCSA Banquet and Award Presentations ceremony, which took place at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

During his presentation of the award, TCSA Executive Director David Connor gave a summary of the project, stating, "Since the early 2000's, Lewis County Government officials had been searching for some way to separate their Court System from their regular Courthouse offices, due to spacing issues and safety concerns.

"Then, in 2018 an opportunity arose when the old Sentinel Trust Building was purchased by Lewis County Government at a Delinquent Tax Sale in June of 2018, for a very low price of just $230,000. Of that amount, $25,434 came right back to the County's bank account in back taxes, so the building's actual cost to the County was only $204,566.

"During the fiscal year 2019-2020, Lewis County spent $116,631 on the building for renovations, remodeling and repairs. It's estimated that approximately 70% of that money was kept there locally, as the majority of those funds were spent with local contractors and on supplies purchased from local hardware stores and small businesses in their community.

"During the fiscal year of 2020-2021, the County has spent an additional $130,652 to complete renovations, as well as outfit and equip the building. And once again, it's estimated that approximately 70% of that money was kept there in Lewis County by spending it with various local contractors, vendors and businesses. Furthermore, out of those expenses, $25,000 was funded by the Governor's Local Government Support Grant, which required a zero local match.

"The parking lot of the Lewis County Justice Center was also paved, striped and outfitted during the summer of 2020 at a cost of $42,850. Fortunately, 100% of that was funded by the Governor's Local Government Support Grant, so no local county tax dollars were used for that portion of the project.

"And as of March 31, 2021, Lewis County Government had only spent $426,848 in local tax dollars on purchasing, renovating & equipping its new Justice Center. This is an excellent example of a county government being fiscally responsible, and elected officials being great stewards of their local tax dollars. "Conservative estimates have the new Justice Center appraising well over $1 Million, and experts have said that constructing and equipping the same facility would cost over $4 Million in today's market. Congratulations on a great project, Lewis County", Connor concluded.

Lewis County's new Justice Center has over 9,600 square feet and features two separate courtrooms (one for General Sessions Court and one for Circuit Court). It also has two Judge's Chambers; two Inmate Holding Cells; two huge Security Vaults; ADA compliant public restrooms; a large Jury Room or Conference Room; a large Utility Room; separate offices for both the Circuit Court Clerk, the Clerk and Master, and their staff; an office for the Judicial Commissioner; one Attorney/Client meeting room; several storage closets; and a fully furnished kitchen/break room.

"I really appreciate the TCSA for honoring Lewis County and our new Justice Center," stated Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner. "I also appreciate everyone who was involved in making this project such a huge success for our community."