Pool design OK’d, wording for ballot needed by Sept. 1

Courtesy graphic

McCOOK, Neb. — Spontaneous applause erupted from pool committee members attending the McCook City Council meeting Monday night, after the council unanimously approved a pool design for a new city pool.

“I never thought we’d get to this point,” said Mayor Mike Gonzales, who thanked the pool committee for the past seven years of work in getting the project to this point.

In a related item, the council also unanimously approved using city sales tax to pay for recreational projects, when it direct city staff to work with bond counsel and finance specialists to come up with a local option sales tax ballot question.

The council will have to approve language for a ballot in order for it to be submitted to the state by the Sept. 1 deadline. The ballot will be put before city voters in the November general election. If the ballot question fails, the city cannot bring back that specific ballot question for two years, per state law.

The pool design chosen by the council was the recommendation by the pool committee. The $6 million design has six competitive swimming lanes, diving boards, a “lazy river” and a zero-entry depth toddler pool. A slide will be included but will not empty into the pool. It will be constructed at the current site of the city pool, with operational costs estimated at $70,400.

Mayor Gonzales clarified that extra amenities for the pool, such as volleyball nets or basketball hoops, could come from community fundraising. Councilman Jerry Calvin also wanted to make sure that a renovated bathhouse will be included in the final project. The engineer for the pool, at the last town hall meeting for the project, said that structure will be designed for restrooms and dressing rooms based on capacity.

Before voting on the swimming pool design and directing city staff to move forward on creating a ballot question with a bond counsel, the city council continued discussion on a new ballpark and the potential of adding that to a joint recreational bond with the pool.

McCook City Manager Nate Schneider said if voters approve increasing the local option sales tax (city sales tax) by .5%, it would generate about $830,000 per year and for a new pool, a 10-year bond would be necessary. A new ballpark, with two four-plexes, championship fields for baseball and softball and fields for soccer, would cost about $15-$20 million and would require a 20-year bond, plus additional fundraising. He said there is an individual donor who is willing to donate a “sizable” amount toward a ballpark, other interested entities who will contribute and that McCook Community College will take on the fundraising aspect for the ballpark.

He advised against a food and beverage tax as an additional funding source as that source is not as reliable as city sales tax and it would make ballot language complicated. A 2% tax on food and beverages would generate about $5 million in 20 years, he said.

The council discussed how funding for a ballpark, using a .5% increase in the city sales tax, could be incorporated into a ballot question, such as designating funds to a new ballpark, or for improvements at the current Jaycee Ball Complex. Councilman Jerry Calvin said he’s in favor of recreational improvements to the community in general, citing the city parks. Councilman Darcy Rambali said he didn’t have a problem adding a new ballpark as a recreational project on a ballot, as long as it didn’t hinder the pool project. “But if we can make it happen, great,” he said. Mayor Mike Gonzales said while he is in favor of a new ballpark, at least the city currently has one, the Jaycee Ball Complex, but currently, there is no city pool available. The city pool was closed this year due to safety concerns for employees due to aging equipment.

He also said the funding source for these projects should be as brief and simple as possible on the ballot, “so people know exactly what they’re voting for.” People will vote no if there is any doubt as to where the funding will go, he said.

Councilman Gene Weedin agreed to “keep it simple” on the ballot language and suggested two ballot questions, one designating funds for the pool and another for recreational improvements. If not enough money is raised for a ballpark, the funds could go toward improving the current ballpark.

Spencer Smith, a member of the public attending Monday’s meeting, spoke to the council and said he’s in favor of creating a recreational fund for the city. It’s a way to invest in the future for his children and grandchildren and Smith said he believes others in the community are willing to invest as well.

City Manager Nate Schneider said he could have an idea of what the ballot language would look like for the council to consider by mid-August.