Public hearing on SEBCO Pool funding inspires fierce debate
JEFFERSON TWP — With the fate of longtime summer hot spot, the SEBCO Pool, at stake over $600,000 in extra funds needed to pursue a badly needed renovation, crowds flocked to a public meeting on Tuesday night, Jan. 20, to express their opinions to township supervisors on whether or not its repairs are worthwhile.
Such was the size of the crowd that the meeting had to be moved from the township’s municipal building into the much larger truck storage garage next door.
In December, it was revealed the lowest possible bid for a renovation of SEBCO Pool would come out to $2,701,080, more than $600,000 more than what the township had originally allocated.
Over the past two years, the township has secured a total of $925,000 from three different grants, which only partially offsets the costs of the planned renovation.
“I’ve wanted to hear, for three or four years, from the tax-paying residents of Jefferson Township, what they think should be done, because it is the taxpayers’ money in this township,” said Supervisor Lois Rankin.
While no action on whether or not to allocate any funds was voted on during the meeting itself, Supervisor Ford Stepp said the SEBCO Pool Association — the nonprofit that keeps the pool running — has agreed to hold a meeting with the board of supervisors over their procedures.
“We asked that the pool association have a meeting with us to discuss their operations,” Stepp said.
Numerous residents of Jefferson Township and the surrounding areas, including regular swimmers and swim teachers, demonstrated their support for the pool and what it means for them and the community. This included a group who stood in the back of the garage holding up a sign saying “SEBCO ROCKS.”
“Many kids have their first job at SEBCO,” said Greg Bauer, president of the SEBCO Pool Association. “We also offer swimming lessons to make sure your kids know how to have fun in a safe way without drowning. Our main goal is to offer a family atmosphere where people and families can meet new friends. And lastly, it’s a great way for kids and families to have fun outside and not get stuck in the house.”
On the other side, there were residents who said they felt that spending an extra $600,000 to upgrade a pool is not the right move.
“Nobody knows anything about their financial status,” said Bruce Thoma. “It’s a poor business decision. There are business people in here, and I don’t think anybody would invest $2 million in a swimming pool for 90 days a year. It’s just not feasible.”
During the meeting, Rankin repeatedly asserted her belief the pool association had not been transparent enough in disclosing its financial state and fundraising efforts to the township in recent years.
“We have asked for fundraising and things from the pool association over the last few years,” Rankin said. “Nothing’s really been brought back to us from the association.”
“There’s a little bit more transparency, a little bit more information that we need from them on head counts and financials, moving forward,” Supervisor Braden Beblo said.
“I think if this board decides to go ahead and fund this project, there’s going to be a lot of onus on our pool association to make sure that, in the future, they’re solvent and can help support the infrastructure of this pool moving forward,” Stepp said.
Toward the end of the meeting, Beblo broke into a passionate speech to communicate the township, contrary to what some had speculated during the meeting, had no plans to raise taxes to cover the shortfall.
“It was never once discussed that we were raising taxes to fund this project,” Beblo said. “We have money in the reserve. We need to quit thinking of it as ‘We're going to go raise your taxes next year.’ We’re not raising taxes just for a special project.”
-
Jefferson Township Supervisor Leo Rosenbauer speaks about SEBCO Pool during a special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Brandon Coleman speaks during a special meeting about the possible SEBCO Pool renovation on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Butler County Parks and Recreation director Lance Welliver informs the public about the grants the pool has received during a special meeting about SEBCO Pool renovations, Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Jefferson Township. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Sharron Conner talks about her petition in support of SEBCO Pool that got 700 signatures in 10 days during the special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Randi Kummer talks about how important it is for children to learn how to swim during a special meeting in Jefferson Township on Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss the future of SEBCO Pool. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Dan Byerly speaks during a Jefferson Township meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss the future of SEBCO Pool. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Jefferson Township Supervisor Lois Rankin speaks during a special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss the future of SEBCO Pool. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Jefferson Township resident Shelia Howard raises concerns about taxes being raised during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Jefferson Township resident Correne Jones speaks about SEBCO Pool during a special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Jefferson Township resident Bruce Dean speaks about SEBCO Pool during a special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
-
Sue Hartzell gives a speech about SEBCO Pool during a Jefferson Township meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 20. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle
