Commission authorizes $863,250 Freedom Hall pool repairs using PEP funds

The Johnson City Commission voted to authorize the use of People’s Education Plan (PEP) funds to repair Freedom Hall Pool after staff presented bids for structural and plumbing work totaling $863,250.

Deputy City Manager Steve Willis told the commission the plumbing low bid, including optional pump and filter replacement, came from Langley and Taylor LLC for $519,250 and the low structural bid was $344,000 from Burwell Construction. "That makes the total cost to fund the repair project $863,250," Willis said, and he recommended including the optional filtration work because replacement parts are no longer available for the old system.

Willis said finance staff found approximately $1,100,000 available in the related PEP category through March 2026 and projected about $1,800,000 once sales tax receipts are fully accounted for, noting annual PEP receipts are roughly $5.8–$6.0 million and about $3.9 million is dedicated to debt service. He told commissioners the project could be funded from PEP without affecting other commitments but that it also "would require approval by the board of education before we could actually execute the project using that funding source."

During questioning, Willis estimated the repair would extend the pool's useful life about "5 to 7 years" and said the structural and plumbing teams could work in parallel, with a realistic completion timeline closer to nine months. A commissioner moved and the commission approved the resolution to use PEP funds for the repair; roll call recorded five 'Yes' votes and no 'No' votes.

The commission's action authorizes staff to finalize contracts and continue coordination with the school board; execution of the work will follow the board of education's approval.