Pool season likely to result in deficit for city

CHILLICOTHE – Though it will take another month for the city to determine its overall expenses, the 2015 swimming pool season in Chillicothe will likely result in a deficit after costs associated with the facility are expected to outpace revenue levels.

City Auditor Luke Feeney said Monday that the city managed to generate $91,599 in revenue for the pool that came from concessions, ticket sales, donations, a pool party and its share of shelter house rental fees. So far, officials have spent $89,000 on the swimming pool this year, but Feeney said that number is expected to go up even after the pool closes.

The figure doesn’t take into account electric costs for August and the city’s payment toward the state’s Public Employees Retirement System, commonly known as PERS, Feeney said. The city did not budget any money for the Donald M. Smith Memorial Pool this year.

“This year, at least right now, revenue is ahead of expenses,” Feeney said. “When the dust settles, it looks like our expenses will be more than our revenue. We won’t know that for another month.”

Feeney, who is one of three candidates vying to become mayor of Chillicothe in 2016, also said he thinks the city is headed in the right direction concerning the pool, which he noted was a point of controversy three years ago after debate surfaced about whether the facility should open for the season.

That debate, he said, is something the city has now moved past and is instead focused on providing a destination for families and children to enjoy during the summer months.

“The goal, from my perspective, is not to make money off the kids of Chillicothe,” Feeney said. “I see a lot of opportunity, and we’re on a path of providing more out of the pool.”

If elected, he vowed to look at other potential opportunities the city could explore, which would include possibly having a splash pad built. Feeney also said using other cities as a model would be beneficial before proceeding on the issue.

“We can look to see what other cities are doing well ... and give it our own local flavor,” he said. “Anytime we can provide things to citizens and opportunities for families, I think that’s a good thing.”

As part of his campaign strategy, Feeney said he intends to focus on the basic services that citizens have come to expect: public safety, trash pickup and the filling of potholes. Still, he said, he recognizes the pool is an asset to individuals who use it.

“It provides an incredible value to the city,” he said. “Is it important to me? Absolutely.”