A new 28E agreement between two entities in Greene County was recently approved and put into effect.

The Greene County Board of Supervisors and the Bell Tower Community Foundation both approved a 28E agreement in conjunction with the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower. Both organizations operated together for several years, but did not have legal documentation of their relationship to one another.

Greene County Supervisor Chair John Muir says state law mandated that they have an established 28E agreement with the non-profit organization. He adds that while the “wheel wasn’t broke, so don’t fix it” applies in the fact that they both operated just fine, he described one sticking point when the Bell Tower Community Foundation was charging admission fees and rental fees for individuals to use the tower during “off hours.”

“I know there was thoughts on, ‘Well what about the money?’ Because that money cannot go for a county facility directly into a non-profits coffers. The money is now funneling through the county back to the foundation, dollar for dollar. Now we’re legit.” 

Bell Tower Community Foundation President Carole Custer agrees with having a 28E agreement in place of the informal expectations and understanding that they have had with the Supervisors over the years. She had this to say in a statement.

“We are happy to move forward with the terms of this agreement to continue to make the county-owned Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower one of the must-see attractions for visitors coming from all parts of the state and across the country.  Not only does it help build awareness of Jefferson and Greene County, but it is also an economic benefit to the many retailers in our county.” 

The agreement was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.