Join ownership agreement of B&G Club signed
Scott County Mayor Rick Keeton, Oneida Mayor Jack E. Lay and Boys and Girls Club Board President Darlene Branim all put their signatures to ownership and management contracts Thursday at the Oneida Municipal Building.
The signing ceremony culminates months of work between the city and county to develop a joint ownership agreement of the Boys and Girls Club facility, as well as paving the way to finally pay local contractor Brewster Builders nearly $1.1 million which has been outstanding since the facility was completed in 2005.
According to the terms of the ownership agreement, Scott County is issuing bonds for $1.4 million to assume joint ownership of the facility with the town. In addition to the moneys owed to the builder, the Town of Oneida will receive approximately $300,000 which has been expended by the town beyond its one-half share of the building.
Mayor Keeton informed those present at Thursday’s signing that Cumberland Securities would conduct a bond sale this week (Feb. 7), and the county should be able to draw down funds to meet its financial obligations within a matter of days afterwards.
Keeton called this agreement “a big step for Scott County,” because not many other communities can brag of having such a facility to serve its youth.
Mayor Lay stated that he’s happy that the town and county have been able to work together for the benefit of children. “It’s been a struggle but it’s here.”
Darlene Branim, meanwhile, said she was “glad that we were able to be part of such a wonderful project. It’s good to see the whole county coming together for this.”
Other officials present for the formal signing of the documents Thursday were George Johnson, chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cumberland Plateau; John Beaty, county attorney; Mark Blakley, city attorney; Patricia Phillips, county clerk; Betty Matthews, city recorder; and Paul C. Strunk, fifth district county commissioner.