District outlines cost cuts, fee strategy and longer aquatic shutdown to close budget gap

District Director Chia Celli presented a fiscal update on Jan. 28 describing a mix of cost‑cutting and revenue strategies to address a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar gap in next year’s budget.

Celli said that after earlier cost reductions and new partnership revenue the "forecasted $622,000 funding gap ... is now, almost $200,000 less." Staff told the board they are considering a menu of options to close the remaining shortfall, including a targeted hiring freeze (no current layoffs), eliminating low‑performing recreation classes, postponing hiring for some unfilled positions and canceling or scaling back events and tournaments that largely serve out‑of‑district participants.

One operational change raised repeatedly was an extension of the Aquatic Park annual maintenance shutdown from four weeks to six weeks. Celli said the extra time would allow the district to assign work to full‑time staff, reduce reliance on chemicals and utilities during maintenance, and complete more tasks in a shorter window; she acknowledged the change will inconvenience regular lap swimmers and other frequent aquatic users.

The district also discussed gradual fee increases and a cost‑recovery approach for rentals and programs. Celli said staff aims to capture roughly 125 percent of direct costs on rental activity so some revenue could be returned to district operations, but cautioned that full cost pricing risks pricing some community members out of access. Board materials referenced a remaining gap figure of approximately $414,000 in the packet; staff said the packet lists a range of specific options and the board will be briefed as staff implements top priorities.