MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council, along with city administration, continued to discuss a proposed scholarship fund for the Hiawatha Water Park/Pool during a Parks and Lands Committee meeting Monday night.

First Ward Councilman Chuck Dice asked council members to discuss any changes they would like to see to drafted legislation presented during the July committee meeting.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said it appears the city could use a system similar to the free and reduced lunch program to assess eligibility to the scholarship program.

“It is possible for us to use similar criteria so we can handle this ourselves,” Mavis said.

He went on to discuss the history of scholarships available since the opening of the water park and pool, and suggested a seasonal pass could be purchased with some amount of matching funds.

“If you pay something you have a tendency to buy into it more,” Mavis said.

Dice quickly reminded council it was his intention, along with council president John Booth, to create a program that would focus on kids that could not afford pool admission.

“We want to give to eligible kids with no money to match,” Dice said. “If they can match they shouldn’t be eligible.”

samantha.scoles@mountvernonnews.com