Pool District passes budget and resolution to prepare for levy

DAYTON–The Columbia County Parks and Recreation Pool District Commissioners passed the budget and the resolution for the ballot proposition for the excess levy for funding a pool at the June 27 meeting.

Commissioners approved the $200,000 budget. Earlier in the month, a work session was held by the Commission to discuss the budget and to prepare it for approval at the regular meeting. The budget totals $200,000, consisting of $63,000 for personnel, $53,000 for administration, $67,000 in professional services and $17,000 for the capital project. This covers expenses associated with the general election including advertising and auditor's fees, as well as paying for the architect engineer.

The pool board approved Resolution 2024-04 adoption of the excess levy proposition for the November 5 ballot in the amount of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The resolution reads that if approved, the funds would be for the operating expenses for the district to establish a community swimming pool.

In other business, the commissioners are forming the required committees to author the "for" and "against" statements for the ballot proposition. In addition, they will discuss with Dayton City Council and Columbia County Commissioners about becoming pool funding partners.

At the next meeting the pool commission plans to look at policies of other pool districts to begin developing its own policies.

The commissioners reviewed and are considering modeling Dayton's pool after Kettle Falls basic zero-entry pool with swimming lanes. Also, for consideration, is to include in the construction plans the option to add a slide later. The board noted the Kettle Falls pool was built using funds from a large donor. Private donors are also an option in Columbia County also, since funding can come from different sources. The pool district recently applied for a grant through Columbia REA and are awaiting the decision.

As a reminder, those who wish to attend a Friends of the Pool group meeting, may do so without being a member.

Three Columbia County Parks and Recreation District Commissioners were present: Chair Dianne McKinley, Terry Hessler and Ted Lowe on June 27. Commissioners Lisa Naylor and Katie Leid were absent.

The next pool district meeting is July 25.