Residents will see a property tax increase request on the November ballot requesting $11M to fund a new outdoor pool. Whereas everyone I ever talked wants to support keeping the pools afloat, is the tax increase necessary?
This is a classic “need vs. want” scenario.
The need:
For the current outdoor pool to remain open in the upcoming years, someone needs to repair the mechanicals at a price tag of $4M to $5M. The city already committed $4M of city surplus funds to the project. This money could easily be used to make the needed repairs to keep the pool open. This can be done without a tax increase.
The want:
Pool enthusiasts want a brand-new pool. Some want a new pool because they believe the current pool is not modern enough. Some believe the additional features of a new pool will make it more attractive to users and they can increase admission fees. Others cite needing to stay competitive with other communities like Dublin and Upper Arlington.
This comes at a price tag via a property tax increase.
When I served on the pool task force, I was the only one who approached the problem without defaulting to a tax increase. Rebecca Hermann and Bonnie Michael served on the task force with me and immediately defaulted to a property tax increase to fund a new pool – without seriously considering my proposed option to repair the mechanicals and keep the current pool operational.
In principle, I believe voters should have a say about whether or not they want to tax additional taxes for a new pool. However, the question to voters must be an honest proposition. A new pool is a want, not a need.
The question to voters:
Does the average homeowner ($500,000 home valuation) want to pay an additional $200 per year for the next 20 years to fund a new pool when the city can fund the repairs without a tax increase?
Keep in mind that even renters will be impacted, because property owners typically pass down the tax increases to renters.
The pool has been around 70 years in its current form. To me, there is value in a shared experience that transcends decades. Today’s pool visitors are having the same experience their grandparents had 50 years ago.
If the tax increase fails in November, the city will likely fund the repairs and the pool will remain open as is.
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