Support Selah’s Aquatic Center on the November 2, 2021 ballot!

 

Thank you for your interest in the Selah Aquatic Center and the M&O Levy on our November 2, 2021 ballot. Here’s the information you need to know about this tax measure: 

• The Selah Aquatic Center M&O Levy on the 11/2/2021 ballot is a regular property tax levy pursuant to RCW 36.68.525.

• The levy would provide the funds necessary to operate the Selah Aquatic Center.

• The levy would have a 6-year term running from 2022 through 2027.

• The levy would have a maximum tax rate of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

NOTE: If the cost of operations at the Selah Aquatic Center are lower than projected, or, if the revenues are greater, then the tax rate could be lower than $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The Selah Park & Recreation Service Area Board must approve the tax rate for each year of the 6-year term.

• The Selah Park & Recreation Service Area (SPRSA) Board voted to put this levy on the 11/2/2021 ballot because voter-supported levies are a necessary source of operational revenue for the Selah Aquatic Center.

• The SPRSA exists to increase the base of financial support for recreational facilities and programs beyond the City limits to the entire Selah School District. This reduces the cost per household.

• All taxes collected would be held in a dedicated account managed by the Yakima County Treasurer’s office. 

• Only the SPRSA Board has the authority to spend tax revenues generated by this levy; a claims request must be prepared with the signatures of the SPRSA Auditing and Investing Officers. 

• As of summer 2019, SPRSA is responsible for operations at the Selah Aquatic Center. The SPRSA Board aims to provide a fun, safe and positive experience for all.

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Selah Aquatic Center and SPRSA History

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• 1950s:  The Selah Pool was built by the City of Selah.  It was owned, operated, and funded by the City of Selah and City taxpayers until its replacement with the new Selah Aquatic Center in 2019.

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• November 2001:  Area voters approved the creation of the Selah Park & Recreation Service Area (SPRSA) and the 7-member community Board that manages all SPRSA activities. The SPRSA exists to increase the base of financial support for recreational facilities and programs beyond the City limits to the entire Selah School District. This reduces the cost per household.

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• Fall 2011: City of Selah determined it could no longer fund the Selah Pool.  Unless alternative funding was found the pool would not open for summer 2012. 

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• Fall 2011:  SPRSA and City of Selah agreed that the City would fund and operate the pool for summer 2012 and SPRSA would run an M&O Levy to take over operational funding of the pool in 2013 - if voters approved. 

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• August 2012: A remarkable 78.2% of area voters approved a 6-year M&O Levy to support operations at the Selah Pool at Wixson Park. This levy kept the Selah Pool open through Summer 2018 with the City of Selah as the owner and operator and SPRSA providing the funding.

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• November 2015:  Area voters approved a $6.2 million bond to build a new Selah Aquatic Center. Planning and design work for the new facility began in early 2016. These bond funds were used to finance construction of the new Selah Aquatic Center.

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• 2017:  The City of Selah required SPRSA to provide a proposed operational budget with the City as proposed pool operators AND voter approved funding before allowing construction to begin on the new Selah Aquatic Center.

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• August 2017:  SPRSA proposed a one-year special excess property tax Levy to add to the last year of the original levy and cover the expected increase in operating costs at the new Aquatic Center.  This levy did not receive the required 60% voter approval and failed. This delayed construction by one year. 

 

• July 2018: The City of Selah and SPRSA signed a lease for the land at Wixson Park allowing construction to get underway in September 2018 despite the lack of a levy.  The City of Selah owns the land and leases it to SPRSA with SPRSA owning the Aquatic Center facility.

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• August 2018:  In the last year of the initial 2012-2018 M&O Levy, SPRSA offered a 6-year, replacement M&O Levy to Selah area voters.  This levy fell approximately 42 votes shy of the required 60% of voters’ support. This left SPRSA without a source of operational funding for the Selah Aquatic Center - until a levy is passed.

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• October 2018: Construction began on the Selah Aquatic Center.

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• Fall 2018 – Spring 2019:  A community-wide fundraising effort brought in enough donations to open the Selah Aquatic Center for a short season in Summer 2019 once construction was complete.   

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• July 2019:  The new Selah Aquatic Center opened to the public!!  The Aquatic Center is operated, staffed and managed by SPRSA and it is funded entirely by SPRSA through pool revenue and community donations.

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• August 2019:  SPRSA again asked the greater Selah Community to approve a 6-year M&O Levy to support operation of the new Aquatic Center.  This levy received 58.9% support from voters but failed to reach the required 60% approval to pass.

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• January 2020: Community supported Make A Splash fundraising dinner raised enough funds to open the Selah Aquatic Center for a short 2020 swim season.

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• Summer 2020:  COVID restrictions allowed limited pool operations including swim lessons, lap swimming and water exercise classes.  The Aquatic Center is operated, staffed and managed by SPRSA and it is funded entirely by SPRSA through pool revenue and community donations.

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• Summer 2021:  The Selah Aquatic Center is fully open for the Selah Community’s enjoyment. The Aquatic Center is operated, staffed and managed by SPRSA and is funded entirely by SPRSA through pool revenue and community donations.

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• November 2021:  SPRSA is again asking the Selah community to approve a 6-year M&O Levy to support operations of the Selah Aquatic Center for 2022-2027.

 

 

SPRSA/Selah Aquatic Center Election History

 

2012 M&O Levy - $0.075/$1000 to generate approx. $120,000/yr for 2013-2018

Old Selah Pool – owned and operated by City of Selah with SPRSA funding – passed with 78% support

 

2015 - $6.2 Million Construction Bond – passed with approximately 63% support

 

2017 Special Levy – $0.18/$1000 to generate approx. $300,000/yr for 2018 only

New Selah Aquatic Center to be owned and funded by SPRSA but operated by City of Selah – 55.9% did not pass

 

2018 M&O Levy - $0.18/$1000 to generate approx. $305,000/yr for 2019-2024

New Selah Aquatic Center to be owned and funded by SPRSA but operated by City of Selah – 59.15% did not pass

 

2019 M&O Levy - $0.15/$1000 to generate approx. $250,000/yr for 2020-2025

New Selah Aquatic Center to be owned, funded AND operated by SPRSA – 58.9% not pass

 

2021 M&O Levy - $0.10/$1000 to generate approx. $211,000/yr for 2022-2027

New Selah Aquatic Center is owned, funded, AND operated by SPRSA

 

Still have questions? Please send an email to sprsainfo@gmail.com. We’ll respond quickly.

 

With appreciation,

 

Kelliann Ergeson
Chairperson, Selah Park & Recreation Service Area Board