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Pool proponents propose seasonal, budget-first model and add O&M funding to ballot language
Summary
Presenters representing pool supporters urged a scaled seasonal pool and an operations-and-maintenance (O&M) carve‑out (0.05% of the tax) so the facility can be bonded and sustained; they proposed an ~$18M construction target and estimated O&M at roughly $250,000/year.
Speakers representing the community-pool coalition told the council that voters approved the 0.3% tax in 2024 with the expectation of a new pool and that a scaled seasonal model could be practical and fiscally sustainable. "We propose taking 0.25% of that 0.3% for construction and 0.05% for operations and maintenance," Heather Darrow said, adding the O&M would accrue in an interest-bearing reserve that could yield about $500,000 by the time construction concluded.
Benjamin Gougins emphasized a "budget-first" approach: set the operating assumptions and then find or fit a pool to the budget, rather than defining a large design first. Gougins cited comparative examples and suggested seasonal pools are closer to solvency, projecting an operating budget range of $250,000–$300,000. Presenters and several council members requested legal review of ballooning construction estimates and asked the rec district and bond counsel to confirm whether operations funding tied to a sales tax would affect bond ratings or TABOR exposure.
