The Honey Lake Valley Recreational Authority opens the conversation to continue supplemental funds to operate the community pool, with talk of seeking the help of the schools.
During the board’s Tuesday meeting, it was discussed that the current joint powers agreement between the city and county will end in the fiscal year 28/29, and the pool will lose the 80,000 dollars contributing to the operational costs.
The board discussed other options for funding, one of which would continue the current agreement but extend it for five-plus years with the possibility of asking for an increased contribution. The other options on the table were to work out a percentage agreement between the city and county and dissolve the JPA, or to seek to form a special tax district.
Forming a tax district would be the most involved as it would require to be put to voters and placed on a ballot. This is similar to how the Library is currently funded.
After deliberation, Board Member Chris Gallagher suggested inviting the local school district to become part of the joint agreement to assist with funding the pool as Gallagher said they have “skin in the game,” especially the high school who have athletes utilizing the pool for the competitive swim team.
Although no decision has been made, it was concluded that opening the discussion is necessary to keep the community informed.
As the fate of the pool funding is years away, the board assured there will be many more talks about the progress on the matter and complete transparency in any formal decision.
