CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Some Bradley County commissioners want to grant a 99-year lease to the McDonald Ruritan Club for land around the old McDonald School building.
The County Commission's Buildings and Land Committee approved the recommendation Wednesday. The full commission could vote Monday.
The club has a 50-year lease on its clubhouse, which sits on school property, and a 99-year lease on the school building itself. There also are two portable buildings and an old gymnasium on the property.
The club recently asked for a 99-year lease on both the school and clubhouse property, plus $34,000 in reimbursement for electrical work club members have done at the school.
Commissioner Ben Atchley made a motion at Wednesday's committee meeting to offer the club a 99-year lease on the entire site, but didn't mention the reimbursement request. He and the two other committee members, Connie Wilson and Jim Smith, voted in favor.
"Assuming it passes Monday, the county will wait for an answer from the club," Atchley said.
The Ruritan Club wants to create a community center at the site, but other organizations, including an existing Community Center Board of Directors, also use the property.
Atchley said his recommendation would simplify occupancy and liability questions.
"I just want the county to be relieved from any liability," he said.
If the club accepts, the county attorney would draw up a lease exempting the county from maintenance and liability issues, Mayor D. Gary Davis said.
Atchley and Ed Elkins, who represent the 1st District where the property is located, said they have received little comment on the need for a community center.
Smith said the county has no money budgeted for reimbursement and had nothing to do with the electrical work.
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