71°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Council votes to more than double proposed addition to pool budget

“If you go four plus two that would equal six and that might be an appropriate amount, or however the council wishes to go on this.”

City Manager Taylour Tedder was referencing a proposed ballot question seeking to tap the city’s Capital Improvement Fund for up to $4 million towards the rapidly-inflating cost of constructing a new pool. But he was also noting that the $4 million proposed would not leave any kind of cushion to account for further inflation in construction costs.

And that is how what started as a proposal to put a question on the November ballot allowing the city to spend an additional $4 million on a pool became an actual ballot question asking to spend up to $9 million.

There were so many numbers being thrown around that it obviously caused some confusion.

Mayor Joe Hardy went through a list of the already-identified funding sources and asked where the $13 million was coming from, apparently assuming it was the amount that the city expects to go to the pool project from the still-not-finalized sale of land near Boulder Creek Golf Club known as Tract 350 for the construction of a large residential development by Toll Brothers.

City Attorney Brittany Walker interjected that $13 million was the uncommitted amount in the CIF.

“That would be four plus six plus 14 would be 24. Is that what we’re looking at?,” Hardy said, trying to pencil it all out. The initial response from staff was silence.

In previous reporting, it was said that tapping the CIF required a change to the city charter. That is not the case. Changes to the charter were mentioned in the background materials. However, the previous item passed on a unanimous vote with virtually no discussion. There was one question about cost for the ballot question from one councilmember and city staff’s presentation basically consisted of reading aloud almost exactly what was in the packet. In other words, there was no explanation as to why the charter was mentioned.

Walker addressed that in her introduction of the draft ballot question.

Tapping the CIF does not require a change to the charter. However, the charter requires that any expenditures from the CIF be approved by voters.

Walker also noted that the proposed ballot question is very similar to the one passed by voters in 2021, which approved $7 million from the same fund. She said that the CIF currently has about $13 million in it which is not committed to any other project.

Another term that was used in describing the dizzying number of sources of funding for a pool was “budget augmentation.” Budget augmentation does not, according to Tedder, mean an increase or augmentation in taxes or fees. He said that the city found itself with unexpected revenue at the end of the last fiscal year and could reallocate about $6 million from that pot as well.

In the end, the vote was unanimous to approve the proposed ballot question but to change the amount from $4 million to as much as $9 million.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Garrett Jr. High jumps to a 5-star school

The Nevada Department of Education released its annual report card Monday and there was plenty of good news for Boulder City public schools, especially Garrett Junior High.

New helmet law now in effect

Boulder City’s new ordinance regulating e-bikes and scooters as well as mandating helmets for riders under the age of 18 goes into effect starting today (Sept. 18).

City approves new appraisal of airport hangars

The city is currently in the process of getting a new appraisal on a group of 28 city-owned hangars at the municipal airport.

King proud of star rating

Martha P. King Elementary School is proud to share that we have been recognized as a 4-Star School by the state of Nevada for the 2024–2025 school year. This accomplishment is a reflection of the remarkable growth of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the strong support of our families and community.

Boulder City to host Astronomy in the Park

Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson, the city of Boulder City, and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society invite families to explore the wonders of the night sky at a free Astronomy in the Park event on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

Search for Central Market tenant continues

It’s been just short of two months since of a trio of friends, who are also longtime local property and business owners, made an announcement that piqued the interest of many in Boulder City.

About 83% of students feel safe at BC schools

Councilwoman Sherri Jorgensen was full of praise regarding a recent all-schools event at the high school.

Local aid groups get fed grant funding

The city has approved disbursement of almost $255,000 in federally-supplied community development block grant (CDBG) funds to three local entities: the Senior Center, Emergency Aid and Lend A Hand.

Planning commission approves Tract 350 variance request

Toll Brothers bettered their record in front of the planning commission to 2-1 last month when the developer got approval for a variance request related to the width of lots in Tract 350.

Kicking Off the New Year

Boulder City High School held its traditional back-to-school assembly this past Friday. School spirit and enthusiasm filled the gym as classes competed against one another to hold the coveted Spirit Stick. Aside from games, members of the fall sports teams performed to songs.