Voters to be asked to support 'Tucna pool

WASHTUCNA — Voters here will be asked to support a tax increase to keep the municipal pool operating.

According to Alta Hunt, a member of Parks and Recreation board, the current levy collects $50,000. To keep the pool viable, an $80,000 levy will be placed on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

“This means if you own a home valued at $100,000, you would be paying $83 a year,” Hunt reported. “This money is taken from taxes that you are already paying, but the Washtucna Pool would just get a portion of this.”

Hunt said more information will be mailed to voters later this month or next, as it becomes

available.

Officials are also seeking matching grants to pay for pool updates and improvements.

To be eligible for matching-fund grants, Hunt reported that the tax levy will have to be approved by voters.

“Grants will help with restoration and updates, but will not pay for operational costs, that is where the levy would come into play,” Hunt reported.

The pool fund currently has about $30,000 available, but $44,000 is needed for a downpayment to begin improvements.