Improvements at the Carroll Rec Center have been on the city’s long-term planning sheets for a decade. At the end of 2019, several council members said the time to act on making those improvements a reality is now. Initial plans that include an update and addition to the pool and gymnasium areas, renovations of some general spaces and locker rooms and the addition of family changing rooms and an elevated walking track were drawn up and pricing estimated. Six different bonding options were presented and the city landed on one that would allow them to do the entire project at one time with the nearly $13.4 million cost being split between general obligation bonds, requiring a public vote, and Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) revenues. This meant they were building towards a referendum this year, tentatively on Sept. 8. However, there was no worldwide pandemic occurring at that time. City manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver asked council members to make a determination if they should continue as planned in light of new challenges.
The council would need to make the decision on this at their next meeting on June 8 for the L.O.S.T. portion of the funding and in July for the bond referendum. Carolyn Siemann agrees with Parks and Rec Director, Jack Wardell, who said this is always going to be a difficult vote. She doesn’t want the pandemic to stymie progress.
The uncertainties in revenues at the local, state and federal level make it difficult to really pin down the true economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had and will have in the future. LaVern Dirkx, says this lack of information makes it difficult to come to a firm decision. He wants to know if they can opt out.
Pogge-Weaver says this is a question for the bonding attorney and they would get that answer to the council prior to their next meeting. According to Clay Haley, there should be no halfway on this issue.
Siemann and Mayor, Dr. Eric Jensen agree. Jensen, says this is ultimately a decision to be made by the people. It is the council’s responsibility to put the question out to them and if they say no, they say no. The council can then pick another direction. Haley adds, people are smart and can make decisions even in difficult circumstances that are in the best interest of their community now and for the future. The subject will be back on June 8.
