El Dorado commissioners pause aquatic center decision, cite budget and missing data

El Dorado city commissioners agreed May 19 to delay a decision on a proposed municipal aquatic center, citing incomplete cost estimates, missing staffing projections and a pending 2026 budget process.

Commissioners said the city does not yet have final renderings or a reliable cost estimate for the multimillion-dollar project. One commissioner said, "We don't have numbers on how much the staff... how much staffing will the facility take, how much is the staff gonna cost us, what's maintenance." Another commissioner added, "I'm certainly not prepared to ask our voters to vote 1 way or another on a ballot initiative if we don't have all the information."

The delay reflects timing and transparency concerns: commissioners said consultants are revising concepts and the commission will need time to review final drawings and cost data before considering a funding path that could include a ballot measure. The city manager said staff will continue to press consultants for final concepts and numbers in June so commissioners can make an informed decision.

Commissioners emphasized that the budget calendar is the immediate constraint. One commissioner noted work on the 2026 budget will continue through June and that final valuation and mill levy estimates may not be available until July, making a firm commitment this cycle impractical. Several commissioners said they supported continuing design work and community outreach but not rushing a ballot timeline for November.

Next steps described at the meeting: staff will continue work with consultants on final concepts and cost estimates; the commission will review materials when available and expects additional public engagement before any decision to place funding on a ballot.