DAYTON–The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) approved funding for The Club at the special meeting on February 14, 2022.

The BOCC met with Jim Pearson, the Director of Program Operations of The Club in regard to the after-school program funding request for money from the juvenile justice fund.

In other business, an interlocal agreement was authorized with the Washington Counties Insurance Program and an update was provided by David Finney about the courthouse HVAC project.

A request for $5,000 from the juvenile justice fund was made to the Commissioners by Pearson. These funds have been approved by the Commission for the past few years. The Club provides programs for children in the community for after school and during breaks. Pearson said they are currently at 105 members with up to 50 kids who attend the programs regularly, and they are working to offer more programing to draw in middle school students for monthly after-hours events.

The Club employs many high school students and Pearson shared that his position has given him the opportunity to act as a mentor, teaching work ethic and assisting some in filling out financial aid and scholarship forms for post-secondary schooling. “We’re serving the need for all of the kids in this community regardless of whether they’re in the after-school program or in my employ.”

In addition, Pearson has secured grant funding to hire Rosie Nechodom, the school counselor from Waitsburg, to add social and emotional activities at The Club for kids two hours a week to assist the kids in growing to have “success in life.”

Commissioner Charles Amerein raised a concern about the absence of the American Flag at the facility which he said represents “civic pride, civic duty, being a citizen and understanding the importance of our Nation.” He pointed out the funds being requested are public funds from a community that is strongly patriotic and that would want those values represented by The Club. Pearson responded that he and the Board of Directors of the Club would not be opposed to displaying a flag. One was previously presented to The Club but was too large for their needs. Pearson said they would use another reasonably sized one. The Commissioners approved the funds.

An interlocal agreement was authorized for participation in the Washington Counties Insurance Program allowing “members to jointly pool and self-insure their liability losses, jointly purchase property insurance, and reinsurance as well as jointly utilize administrative and other services.”

Finney updated the Commissioners briefly on the courthouse HVAC project. He reported the project requires less air-cleaning units than originally thought, which will reduce that portion of the cost by around $60,000. After the design plan is altered to reflect the use of fewer units, the project will go out to bid.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22 with an additional evening meeting scheduled that will incorporate a public hearing for open range discussion.