County won’t help city pay for pool

A formal letter from the city of McMinnville requesting the county share in the cost of Civic Center improvements and the construction of an indoor pool has generated a formal letter from county officials in reply ‘ and the answer is no.

But according to County Executive John Pelham, it’s a no with a positive slant, since his reply points out that each government has projects in the works that will benefit all Warren County residents.

The original letter from the city read in part:

‘The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the city of McMinnville want you to consider entering into a joint partnership to stimulate the local economy. As everyone is aware, the Board has been moving forward with plans for an indoor aquatic center and much-needed renovations to the Civic Center. These projects have a pricetag of several million dollars. Final cost estimates are being prepared now. The city has already invested over $1.2 million for a geothermal system to help reduce energy costs while providing for more efficient heating and cooling. When this project was being discussed, the Board chose to make this investment in the Civic Center because of its importance to the community (Warren County).’

Pelham says he agrees the renovations to the Civic Center are needed and the indoor pool would be an asset to the community, but noted that at this point, with the water project on the mountain, improvements to the industrial park, a new spec building and education spending, the county has too much on its plate in an already tight budget to designate funds to build a pool, as was pointed out in his letter:

‘The governments of the city of McMinnville and Warren County continue to put the needs of our citizens first and foremost. Both governments have prioritized goals and work diligently for funding options. The Warren County Commission is committed to pursuing economic growth through maintaining and supporting existing industry, recruitment of new industry, and workforce development through education. The city of McMinnville is equally committed to the renovation and expansion of the Civic Center, including a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic center. The priorities of the city of McMinnville and Warren County compliment each other and will benefit all citizens of our county.’

Pelham says the capital projects currently in the works for the county will take skillful budgeting to avoid a tax increase, which is always the goal of county commissioners.

‘So I feel like that we have to prioritize and have specific goals, focus on those goals, and stay committed to them,’ Pelham said. ‘As I tried to express in this letter, I appreciate the progressive mindset of the city government and I think they have the best interests of our community at heart.

‘And we want to encourage the city, as we have in this letter, for the two of us, even though we are working toward separate projects, to continue to work together because I think what each of us is doing compliments the other.’

In the end, the county’s answer was regretfully, but firmly, in the negative.

‘Considerable funding has been designated to the county priorities referenced in this letter. Therefore, in consideration of limited and previously committed funding, the Warren County Commission will be unable to join with the city as a financial partner in the renovation and expansion of the McMinnville Civic Center.’