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Sunnyside Council OKs 2% Utility Tax to Reopen Pool for 2025 Season
Summary
Sunnyside City Council voted 3-1 to adopt a 2% utility tax to fund the city pool’s 2025 season after public testimony from swim-team members, Rotary donors and residents. Councilors and staff said the revenue will be placed in a segregated fund and the tax has a December 31, 2025, sunset unless the council acts to extend it.
Deputy Mayor Galvan and the Sunnyside City Council voted 3-1 on Feb. 2025 to raise the city utility tax by 2% to fund operations and reopen the municipal swimming pool for the 2025 season.
The vote followed a public hearing that drew swim-team parents and board members, a Daybreak Rotary representative offering a $50,000 commitment, and residents who both supported and opposed the measure. Councilor Hart moved the ordinance; Councilor Frosto seconded. Councilor Ripley cast the lone “no.”
The measure, as explained by Deputy City Manager Debbie Zabel and later by Finance staff, is written to take effect no earlier than March 1 and to terminate on Dec. 31, 2025, unless the council votes to extend it. “There is a section that does provide for it to terminate earlier or for the council to extend it,” Finance staff said, and added that the revenue “would be collected and placed into a separate fund” with expenditures accounted for in that same fund so the money is traceable.
Why it matters: pool advocates told the council the facility serves youth, swim teams, seniors and regional competitions that bring visitors and local economic…
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