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Residents could see aquatic center on fall ballot
City officials look into options to build, fund a new pool complex, other projects
By Jennifer McDaniel, jennifermcdaniel@miconews.com
When Spring Hill voters head to the polls this fall, they could be deciding one more question on a ballot already crowded with presidential nominees, county officials and a special quarter-cent sales tax renewal.
Spring Hill City Council members gave City Administrator Jonathan Roberts consent during a special Thursday night meeting to look into options for building a new aquatic center, which is proposed in the city’s 2009 capital improvement plan at $2 million. In the coming weeks, officials will decide just how they want to fund the project and whether they will package the center with park improvements, including improving access to the city lake.
The unveiling of the survey in May has given city officials a better understanding of park use and how frequently facilities like the city’s swimming pool are visited by residents. The survey was part of a proposed master city park plan focusing on nine suggestions city officials can use in their efforts to improve parks throughout the community. That plan has not yet been approved by the city council, but it could go before city officials in the coming weeks for their OK. City planners did approve the park proposal during their meeting Thursday night.
While pool use has been down in recent years, many of those same residents surveyed last summer said they would support a new aquatic center. Though officials have not spoke in detail, a memo offered to city council members in recent weeks suggested a center with features such as a zero-depth entry pool, water slides, lazy river, water play features, spray ground, tot pool, concession stand and shade structures.
“It’s come up on surveys about what they want,” Hanson said. “We come up low. For me, it’s important that we’re continuing to show progress, and we show that we hear what they are saying.”
Early estimates indicate it would take two to three months to develop the proposals and cost approximately $10,000. The initial planning phase would be managed by a select committee including city parks superintendent Beau Ford, Spring Hill Recreation Director Mike Ganzman and Roberts. Council Member Rick Hanson was selected during Thursday’s meeting as a council liaison to the group.
While the November general election ballot is already crowded, officials said they would rather proceed with a fall timeline than a December election, which would require a mail ballot. Rough cost estimates for a mail-ballot election total about $10,000, based on the cost of the school district’s special 2006 election, Roberts said.
Officials must have the details worked out soon as Sept. 2 is the deadline for tax questions to be placed on the ballot for the November election.
However, Council Member Steve Ellis pointed out voters are already considering whether to renew an existing quarter-cent sales tax. If approved by voters, the money would be aimed at paying for sizeable improvements to Johnson County’s two adult detention centers, crime lab and other public safety and criminal justice programs. Locally, past sales tax revenue has been used to cover Webster Street improvements and to fund the police department’s school-resource officer position.
If the council would want the sales tax question on the November ballot, Roberts has recommended the council go out for proposals soon in order to have them reviewed in time to award a pool concept by the end of the month.
While officials wrestled with the details, including funding, Council Member Scott Snavely suggested substantial renovations to the current city pool rather than a new aquatic center. Hanson, who has taken the lead in aquatic center discussions, said he did not oppose officials working up cost estimates on pool renovations. Roberts said he could have cost estimates developed for an aquatic center and renovations, but asked the council to give him some leeway.
Ellis reminded council members that they need to consider combining the idea with park improvements in order for the idea to be supported by voters. He added that a series of community roundtable discussions would educate voters on the decisions the council needs to make.
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Spring Hill City Council members gave City Administrator Jonathan Roberts consent during a special Thursday night meeting to look into options for building a new aquatic center, which is proposed in the city’s 2009 capital improvement plan at $2 million. In the coming weeks, officials will decide just how they want to fund the project and whether they will package the center with park improvements, including improving access to the city lake.
The unveiling of the survey in May has given city officials a better understanding of park use and how frequently facilities like the city’s swimming pool are visited by residents. The survey was part of a proposed master city park plan focusing on nine suggestions city officials can use in their efforts to improve parks throughout the community. That plan has not yet been approved by the city council, but it could go before city officials in the coming weeks for their OK. City planners did approve the park proposal during their meeting Thursday night.
While pool use has been down in recent years, many of those same residents surveyed last summer said they would support a new aquatic center. Though officials have not spoke in detail, a memo offered to city council members in recent weeks suggested a center with features such as a zero-depth entry pool, water slides, lazy river, water play features, spray ground, tot pool, concession stand and shade structures.
“It’s come up on surveys about what they want,” Hanson said. “We come up low. For me, it’s important that we’re continuing to show progress, and we show that we hear what they are saying.”
Early estimates indicate it would take two to three months to develop the proposals and cost approximately $10,000. The initial planning phase would be managed by a select committee including city parks superintendent Beau Ford, Spring Hill Recreation Director Mike Ganzman and Roberts. Council Member Rick Hanson was selected during Thursday’s meeting as a council liaison to the group.
While the November general election ballot is already crowded, officials said they would rather proceed with a fall timeline than a December election, which would require a mail ballot. Rough cost estimates for a mail-ballot election total about $10,000, based on the cost of the school district’s special 2006 election, Roberts said.
Officials must have the details worked out soon as Sept. 2 is the deadline for tax questions to be placed on the ballot for the November election.
However, Council Member Steve Ellis pointed out voters are already considering whether to renew an existing quarter-cent sales tax. If approved by voters, the money would be aimed at paying for sizeable improvements to Johnson County’s two adult detention centers, crime lab and other public safety and criminal justice programs. Locally, past sales tax revenue has been used to cover Webster Street improvements and to fund the police department’s school-resource officer position.
If the council would want the sales tax question on the November ballot, Roberts has recommended the council go out for proposals soon in order to have them reviewed in time to award a pool concept by the end of the month.
While officials wrestled with the details, including funding, Council Member Scott Snavely suggested substantial renovations to the current city pool rather than a new aquatic center. Hanson, who has taken the lead in aquatic center discussions, said he did not oppose officials working up cost estimates on pool renovations. Roberts said he could have cost estimates developed for an aquatic center and renovations, but asked the council to give him some leeway.
Ellis reminded council members that they need to consider combining the idea with park improvements in order for the idea to be supported by voters. He added that a series of community roundtable discussions would educate voters on the decisions the council needs to make.