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Walker County: Fitness center contract causing fits

By: Mike O'Neal
(Contact)

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Bebe Heiskell

It is not that county employees are getting fit, but where, that has gym owners — and taxpayers — pitching fits in Walker County.

“I contacted every fitness center owner I could find in Walker County, and they all signed a paper saying they were not contacted by Bebe (Commissioner Bebe Heiskell) or any official with the county.

“They were just as dumbstruck as I was,” said Heather Dendy, owner of City Club, a fitness center on the square in downtown LaFayette.

The uproar is over a two-year contract awarded to Jack Silberman’s The Key to Fitness, a workout center in Rock Spring.

The deal is to provide the county’s nearly 400 employees a venue for wellness training that will save the county money on health insurance, Mrs. Heiskell said.

But gym owners like Ms. Dendy said they did not get a chance to compete for the county’s business.

“I requested a copy of the bid, but there was no bid — just a contract,” Ms. Dendy said.

During a political year, it is not always easy to follow all the reasons things get done in Walker County, some residents note.

Commissioner Heiskell, who survived her party primary battle in July as she seeks a third, four-year term, still faces Democratic nominee P.J. Wilson in the general election on Nov. 4.

But Mrs. Heiskell, the county’s sole commissioner, said Friday the contract she signed makes good logistical sense.

“What my employees need is something in the center of the county, and at this time I think Jack Silberman’s is the best,” she said.

As for the no-bid contract, “We do follow a bid process but not for professional services,” the commissioner contends.

Situated on U.S. Highway 27 at the entrance to Fieldstone Farms, the Key to Fitness facility is close to the county road department, the 911 center, the Extension Service Ag Center, Walker County’s Civic Center, code enforcement center, the tag and tax office in Fairview and several fire halls, Mrs. Heiskell said.

It was the location, as well as the price per member, that prompted the selection of Key to Fitness, she said.

The county will pay $9.75 per employee — $3,900 a month — for 12 months, at which point the program will be reviewed, Mrs. Heiskell said.

“The rate will roll over to the second year unless we cancel the contract,” she said about the deal, potentially worth some $93,600 to the gym.

Ms. Dendy said she thought the county would seek a corporate rate, with City Club and similar facilities, and let the individuals decide where they would exercise.

“I had no idea it was a blanket program,” she said, adding her facility’s regular monthly rate of $39 per person is reduced to $25 when a group rate is negotiated.

“I’ve been in the biz long enough to know that only about 13 percent will remain as regulars after the first 90 days,” Ms. Dendy said.

Who will use the facility, and how often they will go, remains an unknown, but having a fitness program might lead to reduced medical insurance premiums for employees — or lessen premium hikes — but if and how much cannot yet be determined, Mrs. Heiskell said.

The county’s medical insurance contract is reviewed in January, she said.

“We know the benefits of having a healthier work force,” the commissioner said, adding that about 200 county employees have expressed interest in participating. “It could save the county money, as well as improving the health of employees.”

Local attorney Chuck Clements wondered why employee input was not sought before the deal with Key to Fitness was made, why there was no public notice for bids and who will benefit most from the plan.

“It seems this wasn’t researched,” he said. “Is this being done to keep that gym solvent? Will part-time employees and volunteer firefighters benefit?

“I just think if it was a program to benefit employees we could have built and operated it ourselves,” Mr. Clement said. “There may be more to this than the welfare of the county employees.”

For her part, Mrs. Heiskell said employee responses have mostly been “thank you so much” for the gym membership.

“I like what I’m hearing,” she said.

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