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Carlisle City Parks board delays full wage increase, adopts updated pool policy and schedule
Summary
Parks & Rec asked the board to postpone a planned full wage increase for pool staff to avoid a roughly $4,500 budget overrun, approved a revised aquatic manual with new safety rules, and approved the seasonal schedule including added lifeguard training.
Mason McMillen, Carlisle City Parks & Recreation superintendent, asked the board on March 18 to defer implementing a planned full wage increase for aquatic staff until the 2027 pool opening (June 1) after department projections showed the approved raise would leave the budget about $4,500 over.
The request followed the City Council’s earlier decision to approve a wage increase but the department’s projection that the full increase would create an operating shortfall. McMillen told the board that removing the full raise would reduce expenses by roughly $3,000; returning guards and concession workers would still receive a $0.50 pay bump, but the proposed $1 starting-pay increase would be withheld under the plan presented.
Angela Smith, the board secretary, moved to reopen discussion of the 2027 pool budget; Larry Flaws seconded. The motion was recorded in the minutes for further budgeting work prior to implementing the full wage increase.
On scheduling, the board approved the aquatic center’s 2026 season plan, which adds lifeguard training on Mondays after daycare swim and increases the number of swim lessons offered. Joe Jenkins moved to approve the schedule and Matt Kappenman seconded the motion.
The board also reviewed and approved minor updates to the Aquatic Center Manual. Changes include a renewed prohibition on masked goggles with replacement goggles made available for swimmers who need them; an explicit note allowing pool management to extend pool breaks to permit water-level refills after surge tank imbalances; required in-service training; and a new headguard job description. The board voted in favor of the revised manual.
The Aquatics Employee Handbook was tabled and will be presented at the board’s next meeting. The quarterly Parks & Recreation update is slated for the City Council meeting on March 23.
