Rhea County leaders vote to buy mayor’s land for jail

An old sign advertising 8.5 acres for sale remains on the gated Louallen property that the Rhea County Commission voted 6-2 to buy for a jail or justice center. Photo by Kimberly McMillian

DAYTON, Tenn. – After a spirited public discussion, Rhea County Commission members Tuesday night approved the $350,000 purchase of land owned by Dayton’s mayor as the site for a new jail or justice center.

Commissioners voted 6-2 to buy the 7.4 acres owned by Gary Louallen on Manufacturers Road off U.S. Highway 27. Commissioners Bill Hollin and Doyle Montgomery, who previously had “passed” on voting, decided to vote “yes” after County Clerk Linda Shaver asked them if they wanted to reconsider.

Grover Parks and Ron Masterson voted against the purchase, while fellow Commissioner Emmaly Fisher was absent from the meeting.

In May, Commissioner Tom Smith had offered a motion to purchase the property with county litigation taxes. Fisher had countered that motion with one for a site at West Second Avenue that is owned by former Dayton Mayor Bob Vincent. Hollin had moved to table the Louallen property vote until comments could be heard at a public hearing.