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Residents urge caution on proposed pool; debate centers on safety, location and costs
Summary
Two residents praised the city’s infrastructure grant and questioned a proposed community pool; commenters raised FDLE-registered-offender proximity, maintenance costs, central siting near schools and meeting-time barriers to civic participation.
At the start of public comment, resident Andy Jackson congratulated the City of Perry on securing a major infrastructure grant and credited Duke Energy’s site‐rating work with highlighting water and wastewater needs. "You folks in the City of Perry have received a historic grant for your infrastructure," he said, urging the council to note the role of multiple partners.
Later, Thomas Edward II, a long‑time Perry resident, urged the council to prioritize roads, buildings and water projects over a proposed community pool and to weigh safety and ongoing costs before moving forward. "It's the one about the pool because to me, that's a very luxury item," he said, adding concern about registered offenders near one proposed location after searching the FDLE website.
Council members and other residents responded: some framed a pool as a public‑safety measure tied to water‑safety and swim lessons, suggested coordinating with schools to reduce costs and pointed to available pool‑safety grants. Council members also discussed maintenance and staffing costs, noting that fees could help offset chemical and lifeguard expenses. Questions were raised about where a pool would be sited and whether a central location would best serve families and schools.
The council did not vote on a pool project at this meeting. Instead, members encouraged follow‑up work on siting, cost estimates and potential grant opportunities before placing any pool project on a future agenda.
