No one enjoys receiving their tax bill; and have no desire to fill the cavernous deficits taxing agencies have created. Here, intentions are to give reference to our community-owned recreational center’s (SARC’s) financial future.

The Sequim Aquatic Recreational Center was built with good intentions to provide a community swimming pool for the health and safety of kids and adults. However, from the beginning, there’s been a misconception of self-sufficiency; this was an unfortunate statement of past considerations, causing consternation within the community. An observation: Of the tens of tens of thousands of public swimming pools in the U.S., for practicality, none are self-sufficient!

When economics were good, SARC saved (sometimes unwisely) and those savings kept SARC operating at industrial standards for the past 13 years without our tax monies. Recently, after professional inquiries into SARC’s structural, mechanical and financial health, it became apparent a levy, to supplement user fees, has to be asked. Without a levy (this is no threat) RCWs (Revised Code of Washington laws) state that SARC can’t run a deficit! If SARC can’t meet its pecuniary (financial) obligations, our community pool will be closed!

The management of our recreational center understands the difficulty of adding another burden on the community, but after deliberation, believes that a six-year levy, at a minimal cost of 12 cents per $1,000 (assessed valuation), is more than offset by the total social value SARC provides to the greater Sequim community.

We, the taxpayers and SARC’s management will have an opportunity to converse and exchange ideas at 5:30 p.m. July 23 in an open forum in SARC’s gym, 610 N. Fifth Ave.

Jan Richardson

Sequim

Richardson is a SARC board member.