Clinton Fiscal Court took steps last week that may see the Wellness Center debt on the new boiler system reduced by three-quarters of the total amount. The court took the action at a brief special meeting Thursday morning, April 23 with five of six members present.

Judge-Executive Richard Armstrong told the court he had learned from an official at a recent meeting of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District that the county may be able to apply for a 75/25 matching grant to help fund the cost of the boiler–which heats the swimming pool at the facility.

Earlier this year, the county had agreed to use LGEA (Local Government Economic Assistance) money to fund the project and give the Wellness Center board up to $30,000 for the replacement project. In turn, the Wellness Center would repay the county a minimum of $600 per month until the money was paid back.

The court voted last week, following a motion by Magistrate Hershell Key, to approve a resolution authorizing the judge/executive to sign any documentation pertaining to applying for the USDA Rural Development grant, which if funded, would pay up to 75 percent of the cost. This would mean the Wellness Center would only have to repay approximately $7,500 and may be able to repay the debt in about a year instead of four or more years.

Wellness Center Director Charlotte Dick, who was at last week’s meeting, said materials for the project have been ordered and the process of requesting the change has been made to the proper officials, including the state.

Wellness Center board members have contended that the old boiler, which had always caused problems, was improperly installed and put in the wrong place when the building was first constructed.

The new boiler will be installed by a local company, Sun Pools.

The swimming pool at the Wellness Center is one of the facility’s biggest drawing cards and one of the most used areas at the center.

Under terms of the original grant which saw the Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center constructed, the county has to maintain the facility and operate it for public use through June of 2016.

The action on the resolution pertaining to the Wellness Center was the only official action taken by the court last week.

On a separate issue, Magistrate Ricky Craig clarified to the Clinton County News about his views on the proposed tourism board and possible transient fees associated with operating the board that he had made at the court’s meeting the week prior.

Craig said he was against any kind of tax, whether it be on restaurants or lodging establishments, but was not against an actual tourism board.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.