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Seldovia rec service area seeks pilot funding to keep community pool open; proposes temporary mill‑rate increase
Summary
Liz Diamond, Seldovia recreational service area chair, described a community-backed pilot to keep the Susan B. English School pool operating after the district withdraws funding; the service area proposes a temporary mill‑rate increase (from 1.00 to 1.75) for FY27 and is negotiating a management agreement with the city and borough.
Liz Diamond, chair of the Seldovia Recreational Service Area, told the assembly the Seattle Community Center and waterfront ice rink are primary local assets and that the service area has pursued community outreach and public meetings about continuing pool operations after the school district will no longer fund the pool in the coming fiscal year.
Diamond said the service area surveyed property owners and held meetings that showed strong community support to try a pilot model. To sustain operations for FY27, the board tentatively proposed increasing the service‑area mill‑rate from 1.00 to 1.75 as a temporary measure while it finalizes a management agreement and pursues other revenue sources. The service area has also transitioned to a new coordinator and adjusted programming to balance adult and youth offerings.
Brandy Harbaugh explained that out‑year fund projections show pressures beginning in 2028–2030 if current school‑district resources used this year are not available later; the uptick in out‑year mill rates is driven in part by the risk that those in‑kind resources or cost‑sharing arrangements will lapse.
Next steps: the service area and borough staff will continue negotiating a management agreement and will present final budget language and any proposed appropriations to the assembly for approval.
