Commission seeks new mental health facility
At the County Commission’s Operations Committee meeting, Commissioner Shain Vowell, right, proposed sending a resolution to the Tennesse General Assembly requesting a mental health facility in the Anderson County area. Stephen Verran, left, made the motion and Ebony Capshaw seconded. The three of them are shown here at the Jan. 20 County Commission meeting, during which the full commission approved having Anderson County Law Director James Brooks draft the resolution. (photo:Ben Pounds )
The commission approved the measure in a unanimous voice vote during its meeting Saturday, Jan. 20. Commissioner Robert McKamey made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Chad McNabb.
Commissioner Tim Isbel said Anderson County Law Director James Brooks will draft the resolution, which will be sent to the area’s state legislators.
Isbel also said the county might work with neighboring Knox County, which could benefit from such a facility as well.
Commissioner Sabra Beauchamp, a member of the Budget Committee, said the county jail has effectively become the county’s mental health facility.
“We don’t have a lot of areas to send them,” she said of individuals with mental health issues.
“Where we do send them, they keep them for a few days and send them back,” Beauchamp said.
“It’s a revolving door.”
The idea originated from the commission’s Operations Committee, where Commissioner Shain Vowell proposed it.
Commissioner Stephen Verran made the motion, and Commissioner Ebony Capshaw seconded it.
