Clinton, Boys & Girls Club plan new daycare

April 30, 2025 by Ben Pounds

An old Tennessee National Guard armory in Jaycee Park may support a daycare for Clinton city employees and others next year.

“I don’t think any other place in the state offers this,” Clinton City Manager Roger Houck said regarding the future daycare program at 214 Nave Street, adding it may be a model for other cities.

He said childcare costs at usual rates elsewhere would be about half of a Clinton police officer or firefighter’s salary.

The daycare at the former armory would be a more-affordable option for them, he said.

Houck told The Courier News the city plans for the daycare to serve Clinton City, Clinton City Schools and some Eagle Bend Industrial Park employees. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley will run the program, which the city plans to start in January.

The City Council passed a resolution committing $1,908,800 toward the daycare at its April 28 meeting, while a federal Community Development Block Grant will contribute $426,200.

The council also approved a contract from the lowest bidder, Skilled Services Quality Construction, for $2.335 million for the building’s renovations.

The votes were unanimous, although City Council members Matt Foster and Brian Hatmaker were absent.

Houck said the city may be able to bring the costs down through working with the Boys & Girls Clubs and removing some items from the scope of the project.

Contracted work will include a new roof, new windows, and Americans with Disabilities Act accessible restrooms and doors.



Hotel motel/tax

Due to the City Council voting to raise its occupancy-tax rate on hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging while the Anderson County Commission voted to lower its rate, visitors booking rooms in Clinton are likely continue to pay taxes at an 8% rate.

The unanimous vote was on first reading. The increase will have to pass a second time to go into effect.

The rate came in response to the Anderson County Commission voting to lower the county’s rate from 5% to 4% at its meeting the previous Monday.

Clinton Finance Director Chris Phillips told The Courier News that the state of Tennessee won’t allow a higher local rate than 8% total.

Last fiscal year, Phillips said, Clinton’s occupancy tax generated $261,903 in revenue.

The city must spend these funds on tourism and related community projects. Recent examples Phillips gave include funding organizations like Historic Downtown Clinton and The Pearl Foundation as well as community projects such as the parking lot the city recently constructed at North Main and North Hicks streets to promote tourism in Clinton’s downtown.

Phillips said he expected Clinton’s rate increase to bring in $90,000 extra this coming fiscal year. He hoped it would offset revenue the city had lost due to the equalization factor on commercial properties.

“This is not a tax on the citizens,” he said. “This is a tax that will be paid by someone staying in the hotels.

“I don’t think most people even realize there is one when they stay.”

He also said it was unlikely to affect how much people spend on other things during stays in Clinton.



City manager

The council also voted unanimously to extend Houck’s contract, which was due to expire June 30, 2027. It was extended through June 30, 2030. Houck requested the extension.

“We had discussed a lot of things going on in the city right now,” Mayor Scott Burton said.

“He’d like to see those be completed, and bottom line is he enjoys what he does,” the mayor said.

“It’s a pleasure that you’ll let me stay on and see those through,” Houck said regarding ongoing projects.

However, he said it wasn’t just ongoing projects but also working with the city’s elected representatives and people that kept him interested in continuing.

Burton also announced he plans to run for another term. His term ends in 18 months.

“To be honest with you guys, I’ve kind of been around for a while, but I’m kind of like Roger,” Burton said. “I really enjoy what I’m doing, and I think you all see that. I take this job seriously, and it’s my way of giving back to the city I grew up in.”



Safety Partners

The council also voted to apply for a grant from the city’s insurance company Public Entity Partners, which could pay for safety equipment for city employees.

Houck said such grants usually provide from $5,000 to $10,000 for equipment.