Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents present numbers: Sherrill pool subsidy roughly $70,000 in 2025, about $13 per $100,000 of property value
Summary
Multiple residents presented budget figures showing the pool cost taxpayers roughly $70,000 in 2025 (city budgeted $100,000 and spent about $94,000 with about $25,000 in revenue); commenters argued the pool is a small share of the municipal budget and that accepting state grant money is fiscally sensible.
Several residents gave detailed fiscal data arguing that the pool is an affordable public amenity and a good investment if the city accepts state grant funds. "Per the 2025 and 2026 budget report, the city budgets $100,000 for pool expenses. In 2025, the city actually spent just over $94,000 on pool-related expenses and overperformed its projected revenue of $20,000 by collecting just over $25,000 in revenue," said Lauren McDonald, who calculated the net taxpayer subsidy in 2025 as roughly $70,000 and noted that at that rate the pool represented about 1.3% of a cited $5.3 million city budget.
Other commenters urged creative revenue and volunteer strategies to reduce net costs, including sponsorships, fundraising events, and volunteer committees. Former commissioner Jason Merrow suggested exploring bond length, sponsorships such as "sponsor a lane," and festival fundraising to offset operating costs. Speakers also raised the prospect that accepting a $2.6 million New York Swims grant would provide substantial capital funding if the city completes required local steps.
