Supervisors approve up to $30,000 commitment for YMCA aquatic park CAT grant application

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 30 to approve a resolution supporting a CAT grant application for a proposed Lococo Area YMCA aquatic park and to commit no more than $30,000 in local matching funds if the state award is granted.

Josh Bolt, the city manager introduced with Scott Warren of the YMCA, told the board the YMCA has raised substantial private contributions and is seeking a CAT grant in the $500,000–$600,000 range from a $10 million state program allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bolt said the city and YMCA have “been pretty amazing from a private fundraising perspective,” and that the city’s earlier finance committee approved a $1,250,000 TIF package that would be considered by the city council next Monday.

Supervisor discussion focused on contract language limiting the county’s exposure. One board member asked that the resolution be amended to say the county would commit “no more than $30,000,” and the motion was made and seconded with that change. Chair Don Sminker read the motion as Resolution No. 1146 (46-09-30-2025) to permit the YMCA to apply and to commit a local match capped at $30,000.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote with no recorded dissents. After the vote, supervisors wished the applicants luck as they continue fundraising and application work.

The action will allow the city and YMCA to include the county’s capped commitment in their CAT grant package; the commitment is contingent on the grant being awarded and on final project financing at the time of execution.