1/26/2010 3:28:00 PM Pool closes, city layoffs continue Pool’s last day set for Saturday
Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN
Williams resident Mike Dulay swims with his son Michael, 3, at the Williams Aquatic Center. The pool will close Saturday, following a free swim planned at the facility.
WILLIAMS - A new round of budget cuts for the city of Williams has spelled the end of the Williams Aquatic Center. City officials said they will close the pool Saturday, eyeing a possible re-opening date in the spring of 2011, should the city's weakened tax base show signs of improvement by then. The decision to close the pool came after a special work session Jan. 19 in which Williams City Council members voted to adopt the cuts. Saturday's last day will be a free swim, according to city officials. The pool is scheduled to be drained Sunday.
Two full time city employees were also laid off following the special budget meeting: the city planner and a front office clerk. The pool's closure also means the loss of part-time employment for a number of city lifeguards employed at the pool. The pool's two administrators, Anna Curry and Sherry Sleeper, will remain employees of the Williams Recreation Department, according to Interim City Manager Joe Duffy.
"We decided to close the pool this year, and will look at reopening it in the spring of 2011," Duffy said in an e-mail interview Jan. 21. "The full-time employees are going to be moved to recreation to allow us to increase the programs for the kids at the Rec Center and Skate Park. They will also be assisting us at city hall."
According to Duffy, sales tax receipts have plummeted 18 percent for the city compared to figures from last year - a total of about $277,000.
"If the trend continues we project a shortage of $614,000," Duffy said. "Thus, we have no choice but to reduce services. Council re-enforced that we have already cut each department significantly over the last two years, and we cannot cut the departments like water, sanitation, police and fire, any further without risking the health and safety of our community."
The cuts, he added, are expected to save the city about $124,000 between January and June 30. He expects the cuts to save an additional $286,000 during the next fiscal year.
Other reductions may be around the corner, city officials said, including further cuts in recreation and to Elephant Rocks Golf Course.
"We're reviewing their budget, talking with the manager and we're reducing their part time help this summer," Duffy said.
Williams resident Mike Dulay said he brings his son to the pool about three times a week. He expressed his irritation with the city's decision to close the facility. Dulay moved to the Williams community about two years ago.
"It really does suck. I think that taking away public facilities isn't a good thing for the city," Dulay said. "It's advertised as one of the attractions of the city and you're shutting it down. When we were looking at moving here, it said there was an ice rink here and we've never seen one, so what's left? There's really not much."
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010
Article comment by:
Free Ride Is Over
The state of Arizona is out of money. Coconino County is broke. No funds are filtering to our community. We are a welfare town that is used to getting everything for nothing. The free ride is over. As a result, there is nothing left. What are you people not understanding? The city is broke.
Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010
Article comment by:
SAM JONES
What do we have to do to keep the pool!?? It is the only winter children's recreation. DON'T CLOSE OUR POOL! SAY NO TO DRUGS!
Posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
...So, in essence, Williams will provide the services and ammenities that make our seasonal visitors welcome, but when it comes to our own community, the families that give this little town life, we will cut! I have three children and would never send them to the rec center for ANY program. The pool, on the other hand, has always been much more family oriented and we have used it alot! I understand the need to balance the budget and end the year in black ink, but it seems you are continuing to send the residents of Williams off to Flagstaff for yet another activity, (like swim lessons)! What is to keep us from doing some of our shopping while we are there and further reduce the tax base? Especially since we already pay one of the highest sales taxes in the state! The children of this community are obviously not a priority to this city! More rec cuts? Does that mean little league and water to keep the fields green in the summer...
Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
I echo the sentiments of mr. dulay, When I moved here 2yrs ago I thought how awesome that this little town cares enough about its citizens to provide it with the wonderful pool.Now I am not only disappointed and upset but really outraged that its closing it really makes me feel as thought the town is dying and the only thing that will be left are the bars. What kind of message are we sending to our youth where will the kids spend the hot summer months? Something is very wrong with the prioritys of the city council and they should be reminded of who will get their votes.
