Commissioners overseeing the Vashon Park District are poised to approve a $1.25 million budget, an $26,000 decrease from its 2016 spending plan.

Vashon Park District (VPD) Executive Director Elaine Ott said that the district is trying to move away from its reliance on Tax Anticipation Notes (TAN) and will not renew the TAN in July of 2017. However, she explained that VPD’s current TAN contract runs through June 2017 and the district will draw on TAN funds in January “to aid in cash flow, then repay it in full in April 2017.”

Despite the smaller spending plan, the proposed budget includes a request for a nearly $30,000 increase in the pool’s operating costs. Ott said the increase is “primarily due” to wages and the purchase of supplies such as chemicals and diatomaceous earth, which are replaced in bulk every two to three years.

According to budget documents, it has been requested that seasonal staff (lifeguards, cashiers) be paid $11.50 to $12 an hour, $1 more than current rates. The raise in wages would come as an effort to attract and retain staff. The wage changes are under consideration by the board, and a decision on that and the budget as a whole, is expected by Dec. 13.

In other pool news, a spring report by Tacoma-based ORB Architects found that the Vashon Pool was in need of major and minor repairs, including a new boiler, accessible locker rooms and a new drain. VPD has set aside $29,900 for theses capital improvements. The nearly $30,000 will go toward a $75,000 King County Youth Sport Facility Grant that requires VPD to match funds. The grant will pay for renovation of the boiler, a variable speed pump and a number of other “immediate need fixes that were identified in the engineering analysis,” Ott said in an email. She said work is expected to begin early next year.

The pool’s drain was found to be out of compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool &Spa Safety Act, which ensures suction from drains does not pose a threat to swimmers. Although the pool’s drain has been determined to be safe, it will be replaced in September, and costs will be covered by VPD’s insurance company. VPD inherited the pool from King County after the passage of the federal act, and VPD officials have stated they were under the impression proper repairs had been made.

While commissioners are focused on repairing the pool, discussions at the Tuesday meeting turned to the Seals swim team and its plan to cover Vashon’s pool and make it possible to be used year-round. Mike O’Conner, an engineer and father of a Seals swimmer, presented to the board the swim team’s proposal for an inflatable bubble that would allow the pool to be used for Seals’ practices and the public from fall through spring (October to May). The bubble could be removed in the summer.

During his presentation to the board, O’Conner said that the dome would cost $85,000 — which would be fundraised by the Seals. However, operating costs for keeping the pool heated and the extra year-round staffing is estimated to cost $85 per hour for 20 hours every week — $25,000 per year.

O’Conner said the Seals will need VPD to help offset those costs.

“Without VPD help, I don’t think the Seals can take it on their own shoulders,” he said.

But VPD Board Chair Karen Gardner said she doesn’t think funding from the district will be possible.

“Financially, at the moment, we’re not in a good place,” she said. “I think this idea is valuable, but that doesn’t mean we can do it.”

The Seals are hoping to begin fundraising in January, but need VPD support before that can happen. Conversations are ongoing.