Council seeks funding options for Sunnyside pool; staff to pursue utility-tax and community partnerships

Sunnyside City Council continued a citywide discussion of the municipal pool on Jan. 27, 2025, directing the finance subcommittee and staff to pursue short-term funding while the city explores longer-term options.

City staff and the finance subcommittee presented a line-item view of the pool’s operating costs and identified urgent capital needs. Public Works Director Raul Sanchez and staff cited an estimated $55,000 in near-term repairs and replacements — including filters, a chlorine injector pump and hoses — that staff said must be ordered soon if the pool is to open safely in 2025. Staff described the existing chemical-injection equipment as old and increasingly unreliable; replacement parts are scarce and installing a new pump and associated system would likely require several weeks lead time.

Councilors and staff discussed staffing capacity and operating season length. Staff said the pool typically operates about nine to 10 weeks seasonally and that payroll, benefits, utilities and maintenance combine to make the total seasonal cost significantly higher than user fees and small sponsorships can cover.

Faced with the shortfall, city staff and councilors outlined a blended approach: (1) a temporary targeted utility-tax increase to generate immediate funding (staff estimated that a 1% utility-tax increase could yield roughly $150,000 annually across the utility base, with an approximate per-customer impact framed as a few dollars per month); (2) a push for private sponsorships and donations, including local Rotary and other civic groups; and (3) a careful review of pool expenses to trim nonessential items. Staff said the morning Rotary has indicated willingness to discuss support and that the city manager will meet with the swim team Feb. 11 to explore volunteer and fundraising options.

Council generally agreed staff should continue work on those options. Several councilors said they would prefer a temporary, dedicated revenue stream with a defined sunset rather than moving pool costs into ongoing general-fund spending. At least one councilmember said a public hearing on any utility-tax increase should be scheduled; staff recommended presenting a utility-tax ordinance and public hearing during the council’s regular February meetings if a preferred approach can be finalized.

Council did not take an immediate vote to impose a new tax; instead the finance subcommittee and staff were directed to finalize options, gather sponsor commitments and return with a proposed ordinance and a plan for ordering critical equipment so the pool could be operational if funding is secured.