Official petition circulating for pool-only taxing district

DAYTON-A petition was created and approved by the State Auditor for placing a measure on the November ballot for the creation of a Pool District. This would be a pool only district as opposed to the Parks and Recreation District that was proposed on the last ballot for a pool with potential for other recreational needs.

The petition was put forth by an informal group of interested parties called Just a Pool Committee that has been meeting since the November election said one of the members, Chuck Beleny. They consulted with similar pool districts and reviewed the 2018 engineer’s report of the dilapidated pool. They have also reached out to heads of the Friends of the Pool, Dianne McKinley and Lisa Naylor. The latter has joined the pool only committee.

The petition began circulating earlier this month by going door to door with the goal obtaining as many as 600-800 signatures for the sole purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating a district pool. This is pursuant of RCW 36.69.010. “The district would have the authority to levy an annual excess levy general tax on the property within the district each year,” reads the petition, “not to exceed 20 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.” The district would be governed by a board of five elected specific commissioner seats that would serve staggered four-year terms.

As with the formerly proposed Parks and Recreation District, the Pool District would have the chance of being funded as part of the Columbia County $5.90. However, a Pool District sits at the lowest prioritized funding level and would unlikely have any funding left from the $5.90.

Beleny said after they have collected the necessary signatures, the petition would be presented in April to both the Dayton City Council and the Columbia County Commissioners to approve the placement on the November ballot. If the measure passes, there would be no money initially, but the district would seek funding for the construction for the pool via the excess tax levy to be approved by the voters, as well as a possible bond or grants.

The plan is to construct a pool at the location of the current pool and include a low dive and a wading pool, with the ability to hold swim meets, offer swim lessons, rent out for special events and parties, and possibly offer water aerobics classes. The construction plan for the pool would include the potential of being enclosed in the future, if feasible.