On Pool Spending, Council Says: We'll Try It

City Council unanimously approved $380,139 for operation of the municipal pool Monday as part of Piedmont's $22 million operating budget for 2011-2012. But as for the funding model in future years, the council is taking a wait-and-see approach.

"We're proceeding under the supposition [the pool] is going to become a standard operating program for the city," said Councilman Garrett Keating. But, he said later in the discussion, "I think we have to acknowledge that it's not an expense we necessarily planned for."

Without the addition of the $757,139 aquatics fund, city spending would be almost completely flat. The fund accounts for more than 80 percent of the overall 4.3 percent increase over 2010-2011.

"There's a lot that's not in this budget—there's not salary increases… there's no inspirational new projects," Keating said. 

Success for the pool in its first year under city management will rely heavily on the sale of annual and seasonal passes. The approved 2011-2012 budget assumes the pool will bring in $375,000, with more than half of that coming from the sale of 375 passes. As of 5 p.m. Monday, Recreation Department Director said 137 passes had been sold.

If revenues ultimately fall short of the projections, the city would have to consider alternative funding models going forward, which City Administrator Geoff Grote suggested could include charging the school district for its use of the facility. Keating confessed the possibility of something other than 12-month operation of the pool had also crossed his mind.

"It's a scenario we might have to think about … But we're not there yet," Keating said.

In letters sent to council members ahead of Monday's meeting, several dedicated swimmers wrote that the decision to keep the pool running year-round, as the Swim Club had since 1964, was made in February when the with the private club.

Ten-year Swim Club member Robert Crown, who said he was thinking twice about purchasing a pool pass from the city, called the council "disingenuous" Monday for suggesting the possibility of scaling back hours.

Councilman Jeff Wieler said any changes would be subject to "considerable public debate." And though passes are non-refundable, both the council members and staff said the city would make fair repayments in the event of any adjustments.