HUBBARD Levy to support city pool to be on November ballot
While a majority of residents say they don't use the pool, 51 percent said they would support a small levy.
HUBBARD -- Voters will see a temporary, five-year levy on the November ballot to support Hubbard Community Pool.
Three board of education members -- Jim Kerrigan, Judy Montgomery and Don Newell -- met this morning and unanimously approved placing the 2.5-mill levy on the ballot.
The money would be used to make repairs and maintain the pool.
The public pool, on Hall Avenue between Reed Middle and Hubbard High schools, is operated by the school district.
Superintendent James J. Herrholtz originally planned to ask for a 1.5-mill levy, divided between permanent and temporary.
Instead, the board members opted for the 2.5-mill temporary levy, which is expected to generate $496,343 annually.
The district spends about $200,000 each year to operate the pool, but Herrholtz has said the facility needs dehumidifiers and a pump, roof repairs and locker-room renovations.
Cost of levy
Trumbull County Auditor David A. Hines told the board the levy would cost district property owners 25 cents for each $100 value on their property.
The tax would be payable beginning in 2004.
Herrholtz and the board decided to seek the levy based on survey responses from more than 1,200 city and Hubbard Township residents.
Of the respondents, 51 percent said they would support a small permanent levy to pay for repairs and operations.
However, 66 percent said they never use the pool and another 27 percent said they use it only rarely or occasionally.
Nevertheless, 65.8 percent who answered said they consider the pool a community asset.