Pool flap continues in Clay Center

Source: The Salina Journal, Kan.儲存倉Jan. 23--Opponents of building a new swimming pool in Clay Center have forced a special election over concerns that the city is carrying too much debt.The question is being decided through a Feb. 4 special election, and advance voting already has begun.Voters approved a 0.5 percent sales tax Oct. 1 that could raise from $30,000 to $35,000 a month, said Clay Center Mayor Jim Thatcher. That revenue is earmarked to replace the current pool, built in 1937. It would pay off that estimated $7.2 million project over 20 years.But a group opposed to the debt passed petitions last fall and forced a special election. Voters are being asked whether a public building commission should issue revenue bonds to finance construction and debt service for a new swimming pool.Voters are involved, said Kayla Wang, Clay County clerk."We've had people in pretty regular," she said, since advance voting began Jan. 15.Grant Griffiths, the opposition leader, said the pool project would place the city's indebtedness at $17.1 million, which would be 60.8 percent of the city's total assessed valuation of $28.2 million."It's unfortunate that half of the city council and the mayor feel it's OK for our city to be in debt that much," said Griffiths, 53, who runs an online business out of his Clay Center home.Thatcher said Griffiths is wrong to factor in debt that is covered by a sales tax, such as the 0.5 percent that pays for street improvements, that 0.5 percent that will pay for the pool and projects from the Clay Center Public Utilities Commission. Those debts are financed by fees residents pay for water and electricity, he said.The mayor also questions the figures. Currently, he said, the Clay Center Public Utility Commission owes nearly $12 million."That debt service is paid for by user fees and not by property tax or sales tax dollars," Thatcher said."The reason why a city can set up a public building commission is so that it has the ability to borrow money that will not go against its debt limit."A portion of Kansas State Statute 10-308 reads: "The authorized and outstanding bonded indebtedness of any city shall not exceed 30 percent of the assessed valuation of the city."The general obligation bond debt for the city of Clay Center is approximately $1.2 million, and that's the figure that's used to determine its debt limit.But Griffiths argues that Clay Center's leaders are "doing an end-around by having a public building commission" that will own the pool and lease it to the city."Debt is debt. That's like saying just because your wages cover your debt, that your debt doesn't count," Griffiths said. "How do we know we're going to get that much sales tax when we have businesses closing?"Beyond all the dollars, the community needs a pool upgrade, said Ben Foster, president and CEO of Twin Valley Telephone. He leads the group Friends of the Clay Center Pool."We've got a (76-year-old) swimming pool that leaks hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a year," he said.Thatcher said the pool operates on an annual budget of $97,000, which covers wages, water and elec迷你倉最平ric costs. Leftover money goes into the pool capital improvement fund, which currently contains about $60,000, he said.Griffiths disagrees that the pool seepage is that severe."We felt like it was time to go ahead and replace that piece of infrastructure," Foster said.There have been several attempts to replace the pool in the past decade or more. The Oct. 1 vote for a modernized pool with a lazy river and slides was 986 in favor of the sales tax hike -- raising the total rate to 9.125 percent -- and 782 against."We worked really hard. Once we got in front of people, the numbers told the story and the design told the story," Foster said. "I think people know it's time."He's not sure if voters in Clay Center understand the current question."We're trying to make sure people know this is the last vote we have to have," Foster said, "and it's every bit as important, if not more important, than that first one was."Thatcher stressed that he's never publicly divulged his opinion on the project."If the citizens want to build a pool," he said, "we'll build a pool."-- Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by email at tunruh@salina.com.FACTOID:Here's a rundown of contested races and special questions planned in April 1 elections in north-central and northwest Kansas:Dickinson CountyChapman City Council2 positionsJeff BlixtDana GaitherJim MurrisonHerman Simmons Jr.Herington Hospital Trustee2 positionsGloria D. BoomerHoward HaileyEdwin (Ed) MuellerSpecial Question--Shall the Abilene School District issue up to $24.2 million in general obligation bonds to build a new elementary school to replace Garfield Elementary School and make renovations to other schools in the district?Ellis CountyEllis City Council3 positionsJohn Walz (I)Dave McDanielBrian RaubGary LueaJohn LaShellRonald JohnsonMarion CountyMarion MayorSteven A. UnruhMary Olson (I)Todd HeitschmidtMarion City Council2 positionsDuane A. McCartyMelissa MermisJerry Kline (I)Chad AdkinsDavid MayfieldMitchell CountyBeloit City CouncilSecond WardDenis ShumateTony GenglerCawker City City Council2 positionsCarol Porter (I)Jim Hughes (I)Brenda DePoyJay YoungbloodNorton CountyNorton City CouncilFirst WardHarriett Gill (I)Chriss B. McDiffettSecond WardDonna Foley (I)Gary LacyRepublic CountyBelleville City Council3 positionsBlaine Miller (I)Donald DanielsonMelissa Van Meter (I)Randy Hansen (I)Rooks CountyStockton City Commission2 positionsLeo InglsbeeDon McLaughlin (I)Sandi Rogers (I)Russell CountyLucas City Council1 positionTamara SeirerAdam BakerSpecial Questions--Shall Russell County renew its 0.5 percent sales tax for economic development?--Shall the city of Luray impose a 1 percent citywide sales tax to fund general operations and city public infrastructure improvements?Sheridan CountyHoxie City CommissionWater CommissionerDevan CastleDarrick Zerr (I)Special Question--Shall Sheridan County continue imposing a 1 percent sales tax for Sheridan County Hospital?Copyright: ___ (c)2014 The Salina Journal (Salina, Kan.) Visit The Salina Journal (Salina, Kan.) at .saljournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉