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MAC Recreation District seeks county loan to cover cashflow as state aquatic rules and budget shortfall squeeze operations
Summary
MAC Recreation District told commissioners it expects a budget deficit and an estimated $150,000 in near‑term compliance work tied to a new model aquatic health code; the district asked for a tax anticipation loan and commissioners agreed to prepare a loan for $250,000 now with a contingent increase if voters approve district measures.
Courtney Snead, executive director of the MAC Recreation District, told the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on March 12 that the district faces a tight cash flow and new state requirements that will raise operating costs.
"The new bather load calculations limit us to 158," Snead said, describing how new state aquatic health code calculations would reduce the number of people allowed in the pool at one time under the new model standards. She said the code will also require greater documentation, higher staffing levels and capital repairs to pool infrastructure.
Snead told the board the district expects to finish the fiscal year with a deficit unless it secures interim financing. She requested a county tax anticipation loan to bridge property‑tax receipt timing and to allow the district to begin hiring and repairs if ballot measures on the May ballot succeed. "We are looking to end the fiscal year in a deficit," she said.
District staff asked for a loan similar to prior years. Commissioners discussed the loan size and timing: the district had $212,000 drawn on a $250,000 tax anticipation loan last year. MAC asked this year for up to $400,000 to accelerate hiring and repairs, with $50,000 earmarked for replacing a failing domestic water heater. Commissioners proposed an interim approach: approve the historic $250,000 loan now and, if both district measures pass, increase the amount to as much as $400,000 with an additional disbursement in July.
Commissioner Taylor said she supported the district and favored waiting for voter approval before approving a larger loan, while other commissioners signaled readiness to support the $250,000 loan now. County administrative staff agreed to draft a loan agreement that would release $250,000 on the typical schedule (May 1) and include a contingent July 1 disbursement if the measures pass.
Snead also described the district's long‑term needs: a locker room wall rebuild estimated at about $1.2 million and new staffing and lifesaving requirements driven by the state code. She said the district's board plans to weigh whether to continue offering the full slate of sports and aquatics programs if ballot measures fail; she said some programs could stop next year without additional funding.
Commissioners directed staff to prepare a loan agreement and to coordinate timing with the MAC Recreation District so funds can be available if and when required. No final appropriation vote was taken on the larger $400,000 contingency; commissioners asked staff to prepare paperwork and to return it for formal signature.
