Milton-Freewater council approves pay-scale increase and hiring for aquatic center season

The Milton-Freewater City Council on March 23 adopted Resolution No. 2594 to amend the aquatic center pay scale and authorized a set of hires to staff the pool for the 2026 season. Interim City Manager Tim Johnson told the council the proposed pay-scale change reflects roughly a 20% increase to better align with Washington State minimum wage changes, and that he will provide a repairs report at the April meeting detailing work needed to open the pool this year.

Russ Woodward, who served as last year’s pool manager and indicated he is willing to return, told the council that "aquatic center employees, with the exception of him, were not allowed in the mechanical room at all," raising the safety-and-access point as staff plan summer operations. Johnson said a contractor, WMS Aquatic of Ellensburg, conducted a walk-through and recommended repairs estimated to run under $10,000. The council also approved the city’s policy to pay 50% of lifeguard-certification costs when certification is earned and to pay the remaining 50% only after the employee works the full season.

Councilor Emily Holden asked how the $21.50 per hour lead-lifeguard rate was determined; Johnson said the figure represents an approximate 20% increase from the previous year. Woodward said he would like to hire 14 lifeguards to allow later open swim hours and to restore family-night programming, and he noted the city can arrange certification locally as well as through the Walla Walla YMCA.

Councilor John Lyon moved to adopt Resolution No. 2594 and to authorize the Interim City Manager to hire the aquatic center manager; subsequent motions to authorize advertising and hiring of the assistant manager/lead lifeguard, lifeguards and concession/cashier staff were seconded and passed unanimously. The council adjourned to a work session at 6:28 p.m.