The Commissioners voted on Tuesday (Feb. 12) to allow all those who applied to serve on the committee. Previously, each commissioner chose one person from their district who applied to serve on the committee. There were 11 people on the committee last year.

The CRC-JJTCC is an advisory committee made up of community members in Muskegon County. They discuss the current jail, the proposed plans from the Jail and Juvenile Transition Center Committee (JJTCC) and come up with their own ideas.

The group then gives input to the JJTCC.

The JJTCC, made up of county officials, is currently discussing the options for a new jail and juvenile transition center. The recommendations are to build a new jail in the current county employee parking lot at the Hall of Justice, connect it to the courthouse with either a bridge or tunnel, and possibly renovate the current jail. The current recommendation for the juvenile transition center is to build a new facility on the county’s South Campus, located on the corner of Pine Street and Delaware Avenue.

Both of these options are “Plan B” as the first recommendations were met with opposition from the City of Muskegon and the Nelson Neighborhood Association. The city opposed closing Pine Street, where the first option would have placed the jail. The Nelson Neighborhood Association voiced their opposition in January, stating they did not want a juvenile transition center located in their neighborhood in the now empty Craig School.

The new CRC-JJTCC will have around 15-16 members, according to County Board of Commissioners Chairman Ken Mahoney.

Because of the increase in the number of members, Commissioner Charles Nash suggested moving the meeting location, as there are not enough chairs in the current board room to fit that many people. The board said they will find a place, and chairs for everyone.

Meeting Time Changed

The County Board of Commissioners also approved changing its meeting time from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Commissioner Ben Cross suggested changing the meeting time last month, so more citizens can come and participate. The new time change takes effect on April 1 and will run until Oct. 31. Staff will report on any financial impact to the county at the Nov. 5 Human Resources Committee.