DesotoExplorer.com

The De Soto Parks and Recreation Board took a big step Monday toward making a new pool behind City Hall a reality for the summer of 2005. The Board approved language for an April bond referendum that would decide the fate of the proposed pool.

"We feel comfortable putting it down on a ballot at this point," City Administrator Greg Johnson said. "We have a bond question that is simple and will be easy for the voters to understand."

Johnson added that he was glad not to see a bond question that would take voters 20 minutes just to understand the issue before voting on it. The question in its current form asks taxpayers if they would support a $2.65 million bond project to be retired over 20 years. That debt retirement schedule would require a $208,000 annual debt service. This expense would be stated in a bond question, but mill levy consequences of the pool's operating costs would not.

The bond money would pay for the construction of a swimming pool to be located south of City Hall and for the demolition of the existing municipal swimming pool. The project also calls for a surrounding recreation area around the pool, including a playground and shelter area for picnics.

"This land is already owned by the city, so no land acquisition would be required in the bond issue," Johnson said. "We have what we need legally to go forward at this point and put it on the ballot. I think we all feel it's time to get this out of the study area and onto the ballot for voters to decide."

The city would also purchase insurance on the bonds. Johnson said that such a purchase would net a savings of $270,000 over the 20-year life of the bonds.

Additional figures indicate an average mill levy of 3.31 mills for homeowners over the 20-year period. Admission would be a flat fee for De Soto residents (earlier estimates stated $3.50 would be charged per user) with those outside of city limits charged a higher admission fee.

City Council member and former Park board pool committee chairwoman Mitra Templin assured Park Board member Bob Heck that costs would not exceed the $2.65 million price tag.

"If costs exceeds $2.65 million then we cut out accessories, such as the playground," Templin said. "We would not change the size of the pool."

It has yet to be determined whether or not taxpayers would be voting on the question by mail-in ballots or during an April referendum coinciding with other elections in Johnson County. Heck urged Templin and Johnson to make sure the City Council chose the option that would provide the greatest level of voter turnout.

"Mail would be the cheapest way and would seem to be the most convenient way for voters, but it does not necessarily yield the higher number of votes," Templin said. "The school district learned this when they had their last bond issue."

The debate phase of the pool project is by no means over. Johnson said the City Council would schedule at least one public hearing on the subject. Park Board members gave an indication that they looked forward to being present at any public hearings concerning the fate of the swimming pool. Board Member Barry Theirer hoped the informational meeting time would satisfy patrons' concerns with the plan, its costs and the Park Board's decision to build behind City Hall and not at De Soto High School.

"We still need to explain things such as the decision to construct the pool on the community center grounds and not at the high school, as it was originally discussed," he said. "That's the biggest objection to the plan that I've heard."

The swimming pool would consist of five 75-foot swimming lanes, fountains, and a swirl-shaped slide. In addition, the swimming pool would be adjacent to a neighboring picnic and playground area.

The 10,000-square-foot pool would not completely monopolize property behind the community center. Land would be left aside for future improvements. The construction of a new community swimming pool would help accomplish the city's broader goal of attracting people to the downtown area.

"I understand people's objections to it," Templin said. "(The swimming pool) is a pure luxury item."