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County to require certified pool operators at public pools, raises permit and TB test fees
Summary
The county adopted standards requiring a certified pool operator at each commercial/public pool, increased the pool permit fee by $50, added fees for repeat inspections and closure notifications, and raised the clinic TB test from $15 to $20.
County commissioners approved a set of health department changes that require every commercial and public swimming pool facility to have a certified pool operator on staff and adopt related fee changes.
Amanda Poehler, a health department representative, said the certified pool operator (CPO) course is a one-day class that typically costs about $200 to $300 and that the certificate is valid for three years. Poehler said the requirement will be implemented in April to give operators time to complete the course. She said the county inspects roughly 40 pools and that the rule covers spas and hot tubs as well as pools. Poehler said the county health board reviewed and passed the change before the commission hearing.
The commission also approved a fee ordinance to reflect the pool-permit fee increase of $50 and new fees for repeat inspections and for notifying the health department of pool closures. Separately, the commission approved a $5 increase in the county clinic's TB test fee, raising it from $15 to $20. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved both the pool standards and fee ordinance changes by voice vote.
Poehler described the change as similar to requiring food-service staff to have a SafeServe or food-safety credential; the pool certification program is intended to ensure operators "know how to take better care of their own pools." The health department did not provide estimated revenue from the fee changes at the meeting.
