KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — New leadership for Knox County‘s embattled juvenile detention facility was approved Monday by county commissioners, while a decision on potentially eliminating the wheel tax was delayed.
Commissioners voted 10-1 on second reading to approve a new leadership structure for the Juvenile Service Center. It will be placed under the supervision of Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin beginning April 1 and an advisory board will be created.
New leadership set to take embattled Knox County juvenile center into new era
The decision marks the conclusion of a nearly yearlong saga that began with the resignation of longtime superintendent Richard L. Bean after Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs raised concerns that two employees had been fired in apparent retaliation for reporting problems at the center.
Interim director Brian Bivens resigned four months after being appointed. Commissioners did approve an emergency ordinance to put the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in charge of the center, but a board of directors was ultimately created and has overseen operations for the last eight months.
Knox County judge says he’s ready to lead embattled juvenile detention center
The center recently regained an official license from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services after three years without one, a notable improvement after a state report released last year detailed a myriad of issues at the facility…