Putnam school board tables wellness-clinic decision after Marathon Health project hits $1.1 million estimate

The Putnam County School Board on Tuesday unanimously tabled two consent items tied to a proposed Marathon Health on-site wellness clinic after Marathon representatives said permit and site work requirements doubled early cost estimates.

The board paused action on agenda items E-6 and E-7 after Marathon officials told the board they now estimate roughly $1,100,000 is needed to complete the project — about $600,000 for interior tenant improvements and roughly a little over $500,000 to add a required parking lot and related site work.

Why it matters: trustees said the increase is large enough to merit fresh review of alternatives, because the district expects to rely on the employee health insurance fund and, in one scenario, capital funding for the site work. Board members asked staff and the insurance committee to analyze short-term leasing options that could open a clinic sooner and cost less up front.

Marathon Health representatives described how the additional costs appeared. Joe Charles, Marathon’s real estate director, said permitting revealed the municipality would require a driveway and expanded parking to meet occupancy, ADA and emergency-vehicle-turn requirements. "We found out we do need to add the parking lot," Charles said. "It came in…