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Commissioner O'Bryan wanted to know the details of the failed pool heater and the <br />operating costs. He viewed the pool as a "want more than a need" and felt the dollars in question <br />could be better used to benefit the youth within the community. He specified that if the money is <br />going to be put back into the budget, he would prefer it be put into necessary programs at the <br />Health Department or various youth services. He expressed that opening the pool during the <br />weekdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. would not address school children, since they would either <br />be in school or in after school programs. He felt that adding money back into the budget to run a <br />pool with questionable attendance would not be the best use of limited tax dollars in today's <br />current economic climate. He suggested the community return with a plan that shows they can <br />cover the expenses through private donations and other programs. <br />Director Brown informed Commissioner O'Bryan that there was currently a purchase <br />order in the amount of $7,700 to repair the pool's heater and well; and Recreation Director Cliff <br />Crawford detailed the operating costs for the facility. <br />Chairman Bowden felt it would be difficult to change this, since millage had already <br />been set and the budget was now in its final hearing. She did not feel that the County could afford <br />to make this change and was sorry that the process had been misunderstood. She gave assurance <br />that the North County pool and the Gifford pool were looked at equally. <br />Discussion ensued regarding the equity between the two pools, and cutting the entire <br />Recreation budget, not just the Gifford pool. <br />Director Brown emphasized the rationale for closing the Gifford pool, saying that instead <br />of keeping Mr. Staley there year around, and being tied -up with 2 kids in the pool, it would be <br />more cost effective for the County to have him running a recreation program with 32 kids. He <br />reasoned that this was not about taking something away, but redirecting the efforts into something <br />that would be a little more effective. <br />SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 7 <br />