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Board approves swimming pool operator requirement and fee increases for 2026 permits
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Summary
The health board approved a new ordinance requiring certified pool operators at public aquatic facilities and adopted related fee increases and fines; effective timing to align with permit cycle.
The Vigo County Health Board approved a new swimming-pool ordinance that requires public aquatic facilities to have at least one certified pool operator on staff and raised several permit and seasonal fees. The board approved the standards and associated fee changes by motion and voice vote. Amanda Poehler, environmental program staff, told the board the department has seen recurring compliance problems when maintenance staff without pool training manage pools. She proposed requiring either a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or an Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) on staff, increasing the seasonal and annual permit fees by $50 and adding fines for late openings and other violations. "With that many pools and as many issues as we're having...they're relying on their maintenance guys to take care of the pools, and they don't know anything about the pool," Poehler said. The department serves about 42 public pools, Poehler said. She estimated the CPO course costs about $200 and the certification lasts three years; the AFO course is typically cheaper. Poehler said the ordinance and fee changes will be advertised and sent to county commissioners; because pools renew permits in April, the department expects the requirements and fee changes to take effect in April to give operators time to comply. Board members asked about cost impact to operators and whether the requirement was common in other counties; Poehler said Hendricks County requires the certification and that training reduces risk of chemical or microbiological problems. Separately, the board approved a fee ordinance that incorporated the pool fee changes and a $5 increase for TB testing (from $15 to $20). The fee changes were approved by motion and voice vote. Why it matters: The ordinance changes set minimum operator training standards for public aquatic facilities and authorize higher fees and fines to support enforcement. Staff said the measures aim to reduce public health risks associated with improperly maintained pools. The ordinance will be forwarded to county commissioners for their review and required advertising before the effective date.
