A 1997 agreement between the Child Development Center / Community Development Center, Bedford County and the City of Shelbyville does make the city and county responsible for exterior maintenance at CDC's site on Eaglette Way, according to director Sarah Hunt.

At a Financial Management Committee meeting last month, Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray and Finance Director Robert Daniel said they knew of no contract governing the site; Hunt said today that Ray didn't realize what was being referred to because the document is labeled an "agreement," not a "contract."

"It was just a misunderstanding," said Hunt.

In the document, which was signed by then-Shelbyville Mayor Al Stephenson and then-County Executive Paul Parker, the city and county agree to provide "exterior maintenance including, but not limited to, maintenance of the yard. The City and County shall determine how and in what manner these services shall be provided." The agreement was made in connection with the CDC deeding the site to the city and county.

The issue was raised because CDC took action by sealing its parking lot, pressure-washing its sidewalk and trim and painting shutters and doors. CDC officials acknowledge that they should have sought prior approval for the work but said time was of the essence, and they are still asking the city and county to fund it.

The winterization work totalled $2,525. When combined with routine mowing, the total maintenance expense is $7,162, which would be $3,581 each for the city and the county.

Hunt said this is basically the first major outside maintenance that's been required since CDC built and moved to the Eaglette Way site.

Both the county commission's Courthouse and Property Committee and the Financial Management Committee deferred action on CDC's request this month. The courthouse committee deferred action because the item wasn't submitted in time to be put on the official agenda, and the finance committee deferred action because it did not have access to the contract or agreement governing the work.

Hunt said Friday she has discussed the situation with county officials and hopes the work will be approved when it comes back before the committees next month.