Residents press commission on pool grant and whether bonding would require a tax increase

Public comment at the May 26 meeting focused on the city pool and whether bonding to fix the pool would require a tax increase.

Ray Kreski, a resident who identified himself and gave a street address, asked about Red Cross/WSI lifeguard certification and whether classes would be provided by the city. "When are they teaching everyone that?" Kreski asked, asking which city staff would provide the instruction.

Jeff (who identified himself by first name and a street) pressed officials on the pool grant application and the options described in it. He said the application language appeared inconsistent: that a $750,000 bonding scenario would require a dedicated tax increase, while a $650,000 option would not. Jeff pressed the point and told the commission, "I think you're either lying to the to the public or you're lying to the state."

The mayor and city staff responded that the city pursued the $650,000 option after receiving a grant and that the $650,000 scenario did not require a dedicated tax levy for funding. The mayor said, "We got the grant, so we looked at it from the $6.50, and we don't need it to have a specific tax increase for that." Staff recommended residents talk to Barry (a staff contact) about lifeguard training scheduling.

The exchange ended without a formal action; the record shows residents raised concerns about clarity in the grant application language and tax impacts on homeowners. Commissioners did not move to amend the grant application during the meeting.