Anna Council reviews operation of city pool
Operation of a muncipal swimming pool could become an unaffordable luxury for the City of Anna.
The cost of operating the pool was on the agenda at last week's regular meeting of the Anna City Council.
The meeting was Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, at Anna City Hall.
City clerk Chris Jones shared a presentation about city pool policies, procedures and fees which he had drafted.
Jones and city administrator Steve Guined shared several key issues of concern about the pool.
Funding is one of the concerns, as is the deteriorating condition of the pool, which was built in the 1970s.
Among the issues which face the city are the deteriorating conditions of the bottom of the pool, leaky pipes in the pool's pumphouse and valves which are difficult to turn.
Revenue and expenses have been an ongoing concern, as well.
The city generated about $22,000 in revenue for the pool last year. The revenue is far outpaced by the cost of operating the pool, which was about $70,000 last year.
The city council approved a proposal presented by Jones to institute a $25 per member fee which would be charged to the Blue Dolphin swim team.
The swim team has used the pool for many years for training and as the site of its home meets.
Jones said the swim team has been paying a flat rate of $500 for the use of the pool. Implementation of the $25 fee is expected to generated about $1,875 a year.
While the fee is expected to generate increased revenue, the pool will continue to operate with a revenue shortcoming.
Council member Michael Bigler and Mayor Jim Cross both voiced concerns about the financial status of the pool. Bigler said that a close look should be taken at the costs incurred by the city in the operation of the pool.
The mayor said that the city "can't continue to lose money on something because it is nice to have." The mayor suggested that ongoing financial concerns could lead to the city giving consideration to not opening the pool this summer.
Anna Council reviews
operation of city poo