The Odessa Record -

ODESSA — The Town Council is studying creation of a Park District as a means to cover swimming pool costs.

The council met digitally Monday, April 27, to discuss the pool and other issues.

The cost of maintaining the pool, paying for lifeguards and covering all the other costs related to the pool has reached the $70,000 annually, according to Town Clerk Denise Snead.

Pool-use fees generate $3,000 per year, and the Friends of the Pool non-profit group donates about $10,000 each year.

The remainder is paid by the town.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office increased its fees for providing dispatch and backup services to town residents to $20,000 per year, putting next year’s budget and finances in a very tight spot, officials said, noting the sheriff hadn’t raised his fee in several years.

The council has begun studying the creation of a park district as defined by Revised Code of Washington 35.61 to raise money to keep the swimming pool open.

A park district could levy taxes and fees, officials said. It would be under the governance of elected park commissioners. Once the council has decided on its approach regarding a park district, the current leadership of the Friends of the Pool has offered to conduct the petition drive to put the issue on the ballot for the next election.

In other items on the agenda, the council:

• Approved building permits.

• Paid bills.

• Accepted a $1.3 million grant. See related story on Front Page.