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New Pool Boiler at $25,000 or $2,500 Solar System? Bay County to Decide

Commissioners Pondering Changes to Keep Pool Open with Reduced Hours

March 14, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

Bay County Facilities Director Rick Pabalis and employee Jon Morse have a plan to save thousands in heating the Community Center pool.

Use a solar system on the roof, at about $2,500, instead of spending $25,000 for a new boiler.

In fact, the system may be even cheaper if Commissioners Brian Elder and Ernie Krygier are successful in seeking a donation of the solar equipment from a local supplier.

Those are among the innovative changes being considered as commissioners gather Tuesday afternoon with Human Services Committee Chair Michael Duranczyk to "tweak" the budget and preserve services at the same time.

Facing a potential $25,602 deficit for next season's operations at the pool, commissioners are considering reducing the number of days the pool is open from 69 to 42 and cutting an hour a day. An online survey is being conducted to get customer input, according to Brent Goik, recreation supervisor.

"Along with the proposed reduction (in open days) we are looking into says to reduce the amount of labor (lifeguards) either through volunteering, or perhaps by partnering with BAYS, the Bay Area Youth Swim Team," Mr. Goik wrote to the committee.

Currently the pool is open for 9.5 weeks, or 69 days, Mr. Goik reported. The pool was open 7 days a week June 9 to Aug. 16, 2009. Operation of the pool is roughly $43,200,with costs mainly in labor ($31,690). Revenue in 2009 was $17,632 and the deficit was $25,602.

Tentative plans are to have the pool open Wednesday through Sunday. Using that schedule, labor costs could be reduced by $13,000 with the reduced hours causing a loss of an estimated $7,000, he said.

In addition, the summer recreation program may be reduced and the price adjusted, said Mr. Goik. He proposes cutting the program from 10 to seven weeks and raising the price from $80 to $95 per child, hiking revenue by about $3,000. While the program currently runs a deficit of $22,905, he proposes a 30 percent reduction in expenses that would help reduce the deficit by $13,615, he estimated.

County funded programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County and the Bay City Public Schools also are being reviewed, said Mr. Goik. ###