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Worthington council approves up to $11.4 million in bonds to fund outdoor pool
Summary
On May 19, 2025 Worthington City Council passed Ordinance 16-2025 authorizing issuance of up to $11,400,000 in bonds to fund a new outdoor pool. Staff warned of emerging budget and schedule challenges and said it will return with updated options before the council's August recess.
Worthington City Council on May 19 approved Ordinance 16-2025 authorizing the city to issue up to $11,400,000 in bonds to fund construction of an outdoor pool.
The ordinance follows voter approval of a bond levy last November. "Since voters approved the bond levy on the ballot last November, the city has been moving forward toward being able to design and that valid that that valid issue, the city is to issue $11,400,000 in bonds to help fund, that project," City staff member Ms. Stewart told the council. Bond counsel Matt Stout was in the audience to answer legal questions.
Why it matters: the bonds provide the principal financing vehicle for the pool project. City staff said the design team, the owner's representative and the city's construction manager-at-risk are refining cost and schedule assumptions and that the project is already showing "some challenges with the budget and the schedule." Ms. Stewart said staff "expect to bring some more information back to council in the next month or 2, certainly prior to your August recess." Mr. Barter, who addressed the council about the legislation, said, "This legislation obviously authorizes the issuance of up to $11,400,000 for the construction of the outdoor pool." The council voted by roll call to adopt the ordinance as amended; the ordinance was declared passed.
Key details: the ordinance authorizes bond issuance up to $11,400,000; staff emphasized ongoing design and cost work and forecast returning to Council with updated options and strategies. Matt Stout, the city's bond legal counsel, attended the meeting to advise on legal questions. Council members voiced appreciation for staff's work on the project but did not change the authorization amount at the meeting.
Discussion, direction and decision: the record shows discussion only about emerging budget and schedule pressures and staff plans to bring further information; no further limits or contingencies were placed on the bond authorization at the vote.
Next steps: staff will report back to Council with updated cost and schedule information before the August recess; bond issuance may proceed under the authorization approved in Ordinance 16-2025.
