Payson council votes 6-1 to call Nov. 4 bond election for town aquatic facility

The Payson Town Council voted 6-1 on June 3 to approve Resolution No. 3452, calling a Nov. 4, 2025 special bond election to ask voters to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $16,000,000 in general obligation bonds to fund a town aquatic facility.

Council members directed staff and the project team to pursue a design that delivers a heated, uncovered outdoor pool with six lanes (25 yards), a 0‑entry recreation area and a therapeutic current for walking, and to place footings/footers so a cover could be added later if funding allows. The council also authorized moving forward with informational and election preparations required for a ballot-by-mail election.

Why it matters: the council’s decision sets the maximum bond amount and the ballot language that will be mailed to registered voters. If approved by voters, the bonds would provide the town authority to borrow up to the authorized amount; the exact scope of work ultimately funded would depend on final design and actual costs when construction documents are completed.

Design and cost estimates Design consultants presented updated cost estimates that include recent escalation and inflation factors. Christine (design consultant) said the latest estimate for an uncovered heated pool — with slides, indoor lobby and a few other larger features excluded — is about $15.7 million and that the team could downsize features to meet a target amount. She said earlier estimates for adding a permanent cover ranged from $4 million to $5 million, with a specific estimate of $4.7 million that is about a year old and subject to change given tariffs and material price uncertainty.

Rod (project manager) advised the council the pool would be 25 yards and six lanes. He gave the pool depth as 3 feet 6 inches at the shallow end and 7 feet at the deep end when citing the current design; other speakers noted that competitive pools often have a 4‑foot minimum at the shallow end and the design team said the shallow side could be made 4 feet if council desired.

Pool program and tradeoffs Councilmember Charlie Bell said he favored constructing an outdoor heated pool now with structural allowance for a future cover and increasing lane capacity if feasible, noting dedicated lap swimmers use heated outdoor pools year-round. Steve (pool operator/consultant) said based on his experience “you can host a high school and club swim meet with 6 lanes,” but he did not expect the town to attract larger regional tournaments. Steve also recommended retaining a current/therapy feature for broader community use, saying it served both rehabilitation and older adults for water walking in his past projects.

Timing and election mechanics Town staff explained the election will be ballot-by-mail. Key timetable items mentioned in the meeting: voter registration deadline is Oct. 6, 2025 (29 days before the Nov. 4 election); the informational pamphlet required by law will be produced and distributed 35 days before the election; early voting opens 27 days before the election. The council is coordinating with the county on printing and ballot administration.

Financial and next-step clarifications The design team stated the $16,000,000 figure is the maximum amount the bonds would authorize; the town would issue an amount up to that sum and the tax levy to repay debt would be set to meet the actual debt service on any bonds issued. The team said if the council later needs less than the authorized amount, it would not issue the remainder. Staff also noted the town could accept outside donations or sponsorships to supplement the project, and one cost figure discussed for election administration in the FY26 budget was $38,000 (stated during the meeting).

Council action A motion to approve Resolution No. 3452 to call a special bond election was made, seconded and adopted on a voice vote, 6 in favor and 1 opposed. The resolution includes the ballot form and an informational pamphlet (exhibits attached to the resolution) that will explain the proposed uses for the bond proceeds.

What remains to be decided Council directed the project team to proceed with design assuming the six‑lane, 25‑yard configuration, 0‑entry area, and a therapy/current feature, with structural footings for a future cover. The team said final, more accurate cost estimates will be available as design documents are completed in the fall (accurate numbers expected around October) and construction documents are scheduled for completion by February under the current schedule. If those later cost estimates differ from the authorization amount, council would face decisions about scope changes, additional local funding, fundraising or reducing features.

Votes at a glance - Resolution No. 3452 (call and order special bond election for Nov. 4, 2025; authorize ballot language to ask voters to approve issuance and sale of general obligation bonds in the amount of $16,000,000 at up to 6% interest): approved by voice vote, 6-1.

Ending With the council’s vote, town staff will finalize ballot language and the informational pamphlet and work with the county on a ballot-by-mail process. The proposal will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot for Payson voters to decide whether to authorize the bonds.