El Dorado commission directs design of enhanced Forest Park pool, bandshell renovation and 9th Avenue engineering after survey

El Dorado city commissioners at a work session directed the city manager to begin design work on improvements to Forest Park — including an enhanced update to the existing pool, a renovation of the Forest Park bandshell, and preliminary engineering for 9th Avenue — and asked staff to prepare a sales-tax ballot question for possible inclusion on the November general election ballot.

The presentation, delivered by a staff member, summarized results from a mailed community survey of approximately 4,400 households. The staff member said the survey yielded a reported return rate of about 18% (816 returned) and 117 written comments that helped shape commissioners' direction. "We mailed approximately 4,400 surveys to our community," the staff member said, and summarized the top preferences revealed by the responses.

Based on weighted rankings in the survey, Option B — enhancements to the existing Forest Park pool — ranked first, with Option A (basic update), Option C (enhanced aquatic), and Options D/E (larger indoor/outdoor complexes) following. The presentation listed estimated capital costs for the options: Option A about $8,000,000 (basic update), Option B about $12,000,000 (enhanced), Option C $11,300,000 (enhanced aquatic without non-aquatic amenities), and Options D/E roughly $30,200,000 for indoor/outdoor complexes. Staff also presented estimated operating and maintenance increases for each option and illustrative annual debt-service figures for 10- and 20-year financing scenarios.

Survey questions about funding indicated mixed public appetite for a sales tax. The staff member reported that roughly 54% of respondents said they would support a sales tax to fund their top pool choice, 31% said they would not, and 15% were unsure. On 9th Avenue — which links Main Street to Forest Park — 68% of respondents favored improving the street, and staff estimated 9th Avenue improvements at about $1,800,000.

On the bandshell question, 68% of respondents favored remodeling the existing Forest Park bandshell while 18% supported a new facility at Gordy Park. The staff member noted the city has already allocated $485,000 from excess sales-tax revenues that could be applied to a bandshell renovation, reducing the net amount to be financed.

Explaining funding mechanics, staff said the city's street policy obligates the city to pay for 51% of 9th Avenue improvements because the city owns 51% of adjacent properties; traditionally that share would be covered by property-tax funding, but a sales tax could spread costs to a broader base, including visitors. Staff cautioned the presented tax-rate figures were illustrative and depend on final construction costs and interest rates at time of bond issuance. The slide deck used by staff showed temporary construction sales-tax scenarios (up to 10 years for smaller options, up to 20 years for larger projects) and, separately, a possible ongoing operations-and-maintenance sales tax that would continue in perpetuity to support operating costs.

Commission direction, as summarized by staff, was explicit. "The commission directed the city manager to commence design of option B for the pool," the staff member said, and commissioners also asked staff to complete design for the Forest Park bandshell renovation, finish preliminary engineering for 9th Avenue, and prepare a sales-tax ballot question for the November election. Staff reminded the commission that a final decision to place a question on the ballot must be made on or before July 20 to meet election timelines.

Officials said design and engineering work will proceed and that the public will be asked for additional input on layout and amenities as plans advance. "We will want to get input from the community with respect to layout and amenities," the staff member said. The city encouraged residents to visit its project webpage for updates.

Next steps include advancing design and engineering work, conducting public outreach for design input, and returning to the commission with a finalized ballot question and timing for any bond issuance if the commission approves placement of a sales-tax measure.