County commissioners discuss funding possibilities for the Senior Citizens Center building (above photo)

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “The Senior Center in Campbell County is in dire need of repairs,” Commissioner Beverly Hall said at Monday’s County Commission workshop.

“I told them we would try to get the money from somewhere. I’m thinking, could we use the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money. Each commissioner could take $5,000 out of their district of ARPA to try to help that senior center. For Jellico, they could take theirs for their senior center,” Hall suggested.

“All we could do is give them the money and we could suggest to them that we would like for them to take that money and update that center. They are about to celebrate 50 years in a building that needs several things,” Hall said, adding that it needed a new HVAC system and much more.

“It could use a full remodeling,” Commissioner Johnny Bruce said.

Bruce said the county had ARPA funds that if they were not used, then they would “go back to the federal government.”

According to Bruce, $100,000 is going to finish installing cameras at the jail, but the other $100,000 can be “spent at the discretion of the commission” and if not spent its going back to federal government. 

Bruce suggested commissioners take that $100,000 and put $20,000 in each district for commissioners “do what they see fit with.”

“If each district got $20,000 and every district turned around gave $5,000 back towards the remodel of the senior citizens center. $5,000 would go to the senior citizen center in Jellico as well. That’s not going to take all the money, but it’s going to give funds to help the senior citizens and other funds for other projects or organizations in your districts,” Bruce said.

“There are certain strings to that money,” Commissioner Orick said. Bruce said they would need to look at that and see how funds could be used.

“If we don’t use it, we’re going to lose it,” Hall said.

“I just wanted to throw that out there; it would give us the opportunity to help our seniors,” Bruce said. 

County Attorney Joe Coker recommended to the commission that they “talk to the county finance department” as part of the process of looking into using those funds. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/15/2024-6AM)

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