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Council hears staffing, operating estimates for DeSoto ARC; turnkey management under consideration
Summary
City staff told the council on July 24 that operating the new ARC (aquatic and recreation complex) in house would require roughly 53 positions and that total operating expenses could top $4 million annually.
City staff told the council on July 24 that operating the new ARC (aquatic and recreation complex) in house would require roughly 53 positions (a mix of full‑time and part‑time staff) and that personnel costs for those new hires were estimated at approximately $1.8 million.
"Those 53 positions are specifically for the ARC," a staff presenter said. Staff explained the 53 positions translate into an estimated 32 full‑time equivalents (FTEs) in one scenario and a mix of part‑time lifeguards and seasonal positions in another. The presenter told the council those hires were budgeted as nine months of expense in FY2026, assuming an earlier opening target.
City management said total ARC operating costs are likely to exceed $4,000,000 annually once utilities, chemicals, insurance and cleaning are included. "There is the utility cost of about $300,000 for electrical... insurance, cleaning costs. All of that add to a very large number," city management said.
Because the operations number is substantial, the city manager and staff said they have issued a cooperative agreement/RFP and will present a turnkey management proposal to council on August 19. Staff said a turnkey operator could assume day‑to‑day operations, marketing and potentially reduce the city's direct operating exposure; if a contractor operates the ARC, the city will exchange the $1.8 million personnel line for whatever cooperative amount is negotiated.
Council members asked about marketing, naming-rights solicitations and philanthropic support to offset operating costs. Staff said an RFP for branding, naming rights and sponsorships will close the day after the meeting and that this was the second RFP on that subject after earlier responses failed to produce an agreement. Initial pro forma marketing allocations were described as modest (roughly $51,000 in the staff pro forma), and council members urged accelerated outreach because school schedules and fall programming require early marketing.
Staff also said the city had not built recurring police staffing into the ARC budget and that security was not included in the 53‑position estimate. Council asked for follow-up detail on full operating costs, marketing budgets and the pro forma used in earlier feasibility work.
