City swimming pool fees may not go up as much as once expected.
At tonight's City Commission meeting, staff members will float a new proposal that would increase fees for the city's indoor and outdoor aquatic centers to $3 for children, teens and senior citizens. Originally Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department leaders had suggested a rate of $4.
Currently, children older than 4 are charged $1.75, while teens and seniors are charged $2.50 for daily admission. Under both plans, the adult fee would increase from $3.75 to $4.
"This is more to my liking," City Commissioner Boog Highberger said of the proposal. "I was going to propose a $2.50 fee, but I might be able to live with $3."
Highberger and Mayor Sue Hack last week asked staff members to come up with a plan that would lessen the effect of a fee increase on low-income children.
Whether the new plan will make a splash with the other commissioners remains to be seen. Commissioner Mike Dever said he has reservations about not following through with a full fee increase.
That's because staff members said the most recent plan would result in $47,000 less in revenue than originally expected. The $47,000 would have to be made up - either through a 0.05 mill levy increase or a reduction in maintenance spending for parks and recreation facilities.
"It seems like we might be putting other things on hold that need to be done," Dever said.
A mill levy increase to make up for the shortage would amount to $1.15 more per year for the owner of a $200,000 home. But Dever said he doesn't want to begin going down the road of property tax rate increases.
In addition to the pool issue, city commissioners have been asked to consider a 1 mill increase to cover costs for the public transit system and provide a 2 percent raise for city employees.
Highberger said he may use tonight's meeting to argue for a mill levy increase, not only for the pool but also for public transit and employee wages.
"Our tax rates are really pretty reasonable," Highberger said. "If you have a $200,000 house, your city property taxes are about $50 per month, which is less than what most people pay for cell phone bills."
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
birdstone (anonymous) says…
I think they should increase the price to $10 for children, that way we wouldn't have to worry about diversity in our public spaces and our fair city will be represented by the "right" sort of children at the pool. Way to go people. Let's keep working to make Lawrence Johnson County West.
gkwhdw (anonymous) says…
Why do you in the higher spaces think that higher income families come to your pool so much?The lower income families with no pool in their backyards are the ones mostly keeping you afloat. You may never see the 47,000 if you raise them too high, it's better to be more reasonable and let the kids have a fun sport to do rather on the streets doin drugs! Is anyone out there with all these proposals listening?Quit worrying about everyone getting more money in their pocket and let the kids enjoy!
leadrain (anonymous) says…
The Grandpa in me is coming out-" What ever happened to $.50 for kids and $1.00 for adults?" Maybe, they're compensating for the new additions ( wading pool, curly slides, and other colorful toys) which are mainly aimed at children. These were added because the City thought the pool looked " ghetto " prior to improvements. Ghetto- uh, look where we are. Sheesh, 100 yrs. ago the only thing swimming on the property were worms in the cornfield during a rainstorm, and no one told the worms they had to get out without refund. I stopped swimming there 15 yrs. ago and don't plan to go back, but kids and adults alike SHOULD be able to use the facility without paying through the nose. No wonder people are peeing in the pool.
sleepyone (anonymous) says…
I can tell you that we will definitely use the pool less if the price per child doubles. We will simply not be able to afford it. Looks like the backyard sprinkler will get more of a work out.
sourpuss (anonymous) says…
Yeah, we can't let underprivileged kids have any fun. After all, it IS their faults that they are poor. No fun for them!
livingstone (anonymous) says…
Guys, things need money. Granddad used to say $0.50 for kids, $1.00 for adults... Kucinich still owns the house that costs $22,000 in 1970, what can we get nowadays with $22,000? A small car. Time flies, doesn't it?
shigirl (anonymous) says…
Or how about they get rid of all the teenagers that are working as "lifeguards". they don't do a thing when someone is possibly drowning besides say they can't leave thier spot to help the person. they would save thousands by not having them there just for stay off the side of the pool patrol. anyone that goes underwater there will be dead before the manager gets there 10 minutes later wanting to know if there is a problem.
cellogrl (anonymous) says…
Okay b3, speaking as a person who has a full time job and another part time job, I agree with defender. You are a jackass. Just because someone can't afford to have their kids go to the pool for an increased fee does not mean that they are lazy and don't have a job. Some people do have full time jobs but still are stretched pretty thin and can't really afford extras. You just ASSUME that everyone who is poor is lazy. That makes YOU a jackass.
clc1298 (anonymous) says…
I have a suggestion......let's send the commissioners door-to-door to collect a $1.15 from ALL residents, not just homeowners.....once a year and this city would be rich!!! and not from just the coffers of the property owners!!!
wonderful idea!!! i may even help and collect from my own neighborhood.....
chic (anonymous) says…
So, let's think about this:
1. We raise the fees so fewer kids have a fun, supervised place to be during the hottest, nastiest days of the year. Where do they go? What do those kids do now? Well, we DO have that big, fairly new detention center. If we work it just right, maybe we'll fill that up and we can add on to it - OR build another one!!!
or
2. What if we lower the fees and give even more kids with nothing else fun and supervised to do on the hottest, nastiest days of the year something to do. We might even consider building some more pools! The detention center might wind up totally empty!!! Then, we could build another pool and/or rec center there.
But, then, why be logical????? Way more fun to blame others and tear them down... SAD. Just sad. your tax dollars at work.
Godot (anonymous) says…
"Our tax rates are really pretty reasonable," Highberger said. "If you have a $200,000 house, your city property taxes are about $50 per month, which is less than what most people pay for cell phone bills."
The difference is, Boog, we can shop around for the best deal for our cell phones, or even go without, if our budget requires it. You, however, take our money by force to purchase things over which we have no say.
vinividivici (anonymous) says…
I'm in between b3 and everybody else. The pool is entertainment, recreation. Growing up I actually preferred the sprinkler, due to the chlorine abundance in the public pool. The pool is not a public service, and the children do not need the pool to conduct their lives. On the other hand, the community is in an uproar about the T. Priorities people....
cellogrl (anonymous) says…
b3, "I dont hate lazy people I just dont think I should have to pay for someone elses lifestyle."
Didn't it say that you would only have to pay $1.15 more for a house of $200,000? Come on, man up. It's only $1.15. You pay more than that for your daily crappy Starbucks creation. I can't believe you're ranting and raving over a frickin' $1.15.
dulcinea47 (anonymous) says…
vinividivici, you're right, people seem to think they have a god given right to a cheap swimming pool.
I don't see it in this article, has it been mentioned if they will also be raising the price for a monthly pass or a punch card? Those are the best options economically.
LittleMissFlea (anonymous) says…
Thanks, dulcinea47 for pointing that out. Some of my coworkers work for the pool and were commenting on how an unlimited monthly pass is the same price as two single day admissions.
vinividivici (anonymous) says…
Part of the reason I'm on here with such irregularity is because what you say is constantly misrepresented. I said nothing about it being a god given right, though some statements from those against the increase do give off that vibe.
My point was that it's disturbing that people are willing to pay for a recreational public pool, while at the same time being outright angry about paying for public transportation. Once again....Priorities people.
justathought (anonymous) says…
Yeah we won't be going to the pool much at that price. Can we afford it? Yes, but it's just way to much to go to the pool for a couple of hours. With just 2 kids and having to pay for myself just to go in to watch them and not swim it's more than I'm willing to shell out. We wait for movies to come out on DVD for the same reason it's just robbery.