PORT ANGELES — The William Shore Memorial Pool District plans to invest nearly $800,000 into Port Angeles’ public swimming pool and pay off its debt to Clallam County without the help of tax increases next year.
The metropolitan park district, which owns and runs the William Shore Memorial Pool, was loaned about $200,000 by the county to get it up and running after being formed by voters in 2009.
Pool Executive Director Steve Burke said the last $140,000 the district owes would be paid next year through the 2012 budget that the district commissioners will consider for approval Nov. 22.
Additionally, the proposed budget plans to reduce energy consumption by between 30 percent and 35 percent next year by upgrading much of the 50-year-old pool’s equipment.
That includes new water pipes, heat pumps, water fixtures and several other capital upgrades.
In total, the district would spend $791,571 on improving the facility next year, which would earn it a $190,690 energy rebate.
State loan
The district expects to receive a state loan with a 2 percent interest to pay for the improvements. The loan would take 13 years to repay.
Burke said the district is serious about making the pool, which the city of Port Angeles considered closing due to its age, last.
“It’s a great pool, and it has a lot of life in it,” he said.
“It’s not going anywhere.”
Burke said the pool district plans to keep its property tax revenue stable at $468,000.
Currently, the district’s property tax rate is 14.8 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
That may rise next year, even though collections will remain the same, if property values continue to drop.
The taxing district has the same boundaries as the Port Angeles School District.
The pool district expects to receive $236,500 in revenue from passes and other fees next year, which represents a 3 percent increase.
Revenue has been on the rise since 2010, which saw about $200,000 in non-tax income. This year, the pool expects to receive about $230,000.
The pool district took ownership of the pool in June 2009 and received $95,226 from passes and fees in the last half of that year.
No fee increases are planned for the pool, though the state sales tax will be imposed on passes and entrance fees for the first time next year.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
