Commission recommends $1 senior/military discount and 40% late-season pool pass for 2026

The Special Recreation Commission voted March 10 to recommend a set of changes to 2026 pool pricing aimed at increasing access for seniors and military service members.

Staff liaison Sue Earl told the commission she is recommending “to add a $1 discount for the daily admissions for seniors and military and veterans” and to introduce a late‑season pool pass starting July 10 at a 40% discount from regular registration. The commission approved the recommendation by roll call and will forward it to the board for final approval so Jefferson pool passes can go on sale.

The recommendation retains the existing after‑4 p.m. daily admission price (noted in discussion as $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents) and adds a family supplemental fee change: during early registration additional family members cost $25, but for registrations after July 10 staff proposed that additional family members be $15. Daryl Thompson questioned whether the military discount would apply to both active duty service members and veterans; Sue Earl confirmed the intent is to include veterans as well as active service members.

Resident Cheryl Tucker urged the commission during public comment to ensure the after‑4 p.m. discount language includes residency distinctions (for example different rates for residents and nonresidents after 4 p.m.), saying she did not care what the specific amounts would be but wanted residency categories included in the after‑4 p.m. discount structure.

The commission’s motion to accept the adjusted rates was made by Daryl Thompson and seconded by another commission member; the roll call vote recorded approval. The commission’s staff will pass the recommendation to the board for formal adoption and to allow sales to begin.

Next steps: staff will provide registration counts on how many patrons use the after‑4 p.m. pass so the commission can revisit whether to expand residency‑based discounts in future rate cycles.