Council to post intent for pool fee increases; staff seeks resident/non‑resident split for 2026

City staff presented proposed pool fee changes during a Feb. 24 work session, saying the pool (built in 2007 at roughly $1.8 million) costs about $250,000 a year to operate while current fees recover about $62,000 (roughly 25% of operating costs). New registration software can now distinguish residents from non‑residents, allowing the proposed rate sheet to add non‑resident surcharges and adjust resident rates modestly.

Revenue details: staff said swim lessons account for about one‑third of current pool revenue (roughly $20,000 of the $62,000). Proposed changes include modest increases to swim lessons and swim team fees and a resident vs non‑resident structure for day passes and season passes. Staff emphasized a cautious approach, saying they prefer to collect a full season of post‑change data before making larger adjustments.

Council direction and timeline: Councilors discussed family caps, a non‑resident family maximum fee, the possibility of multi‑child or multi‑family discounts, employee benefit passes and whether end‑of‑year school events should be charged. Council directed staff to post intent to change fees by the end of the week (starting the 60‑day notice period) so final adoption can occur at the April 28 meeting; staff confirmed schools’ end‑of‑year parties would not be affected this season.

Operational notes: staff said the new software can track resident status and usage, and discussed practical issues such as whether an admission fee covers spectators who enter the pool area but do not swim and the operational complexity of night swim staffing (night swim discounted rates were removed in the proposed schedule).

Provenance: topic first introduced at SEG 815 and worked through to SEG 1630.