Oak Harbor Pool’s future rests in the hand of voters

With ballots now in the hands of voters, volunteers have been busy trying to persuade 60 percent of the electorate to approve renewal of a levy crucial to the operation of Oak Harbor’s popular swimming pool. North Whidbey Park and Recreation District is asking voters to renew the maintenance and operation tax levy that funds more than half of the district’s total operations, and 80 percent of pool costs. Like the one it’s replacing, the levy will last six years.

By Nathan Whalen • August 4, 2011 8:00 am
Four-year-old Elizabeth DeGroat of Oak Harbor is one of the approximately 400 children taking swim lessons at the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. The lessons are one of the numerous programs that benefit from a tax levy
Four-year-old Elizabeth DeGroat of Oak Harbor is one of the approximately 400 children taking swim lessons at the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. The lessons are one of the numerous programs that benefit from a tax levy

With ballots now in the hands of voters, volunteers have been busy trying to persuade 60 percent of the electorate to approve renewal of a levy crucial to the operation of Oak Harbor’s popular swimming pool.

North Whidbey Park and Recreation District is asking voters to renew the maintenance and operation tax levy that funds more than half of the district’s total operations, and 80 percent of pool costs. Like the one it’s replacing, the levy will last six years.

Volunteers have been manning a booth in recent weeks at the Oak Harbor Public Market to inform voters about the levy on the Aug. 16 ballot, said Juliana Wilson, a member of Committee to Save the Parks and Pool.

Even though ballots were mailed out last week, volunteers will continue to spread their message during the Thursday market. Wilson said she’s still fielding questions from interested voters.

 

The Park and Recreation District is asking voters to approve a tax measure that will provide  approximately $550,000 in funding. It would cost property owners 17 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, or $51 annually for a home valued at $300,000. That’s about the same as the expiring levy which is fractionally under 17 cents. The new park district levy needs a 60 percent supermajority in order to be approved.

The money raised through the levy accounts for approximately 55 percent of the district’s total  budget. The remaining money comes from the fees users pay at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool and, to a lesser extent, other district-sponsored events.

While the district boasts such programs as a dog walking park, sailing program and a running club, the large majority of the district’s budget goes toward operating the pool, which accounts for 80 percent of the budget.

The pool’s popularity continues to grow. The number of people using the pool has ballooned over the years, from 54,869 visitors to the pool in 2000 to the 2010 total of 117,619. The pool hosts the high school swim team, Navy activities, a private swim program, open swims for the community, water exercise classes for seniors and others, and classes in scuba diving, life saving and other watery endeavors.

In addition to informing market visitors, pool officials and volunteers have promoted the levy renewal proposal before the League of Women Voters forum, Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the city council. Signs supporting the levy have sprouted up throughout North Whidbey Island and a website, www.parksandpool.org, has been created. The website informs voters about the levy and park district operations.

Parks Director Craig Carlson said the district’s communication with the community about the levy has been positive but he’s a bit worried about reaching all voters. He wishes the county had published a printed edition of the online voter’s guide for the primary election. He said the guide has been a useful tool to inform voters about past tax proposals.

One reason Carlson strongly encourages people to support the levy is because it keeps swimming fees reasonable.

“It makes it affordable for everybody in the community,” Carlson said.

Wilson said the lower fees are a benefit to the young and the elderly in the community who use the pool but who may not have the means to support an increase in fees should the levy run into trouble.

Return ballots for the mail in election must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, Aug. 16 in order to be counted.

If the proposal doesn’t reach the 60 percent mark needed for approval, Carlson said the levy will likely be sent back to voters for the November election.