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Pool bid accepted
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - "That is the cheapest bid you're going to get," said Highland County supervisor Jerry Rexrode at the Dec. 21 supervisors' meeting about the bid for building a new swimming pool. "I recommend you accept that." The board did, but not without making it clear that accepting the bid did not mean taxpayers' money would be used for the project.
National Pools' bid came in at $239,500. It was the only bid presented to the board. The bid is only for construction of the pool, not the bathhouse that would be needed before the pool could be opened to the public.
"There is still a lot of work to do on the building," said Rexrode. "The funds are not available. Maggie (Cavell, recreation commission member) is looking to put something out for bid in January.
"My recommendation: go ahead and put the pool in the ground," he said.
"We need to emphasize there is no county money spent on this project," said supervisor Robin Sullenberger.
Money is available through grants and contributions to build the pool, but the building is another story.
"We may have to look at longterm debt with payback with fees and fund-raisers. There are ways to fund this without waiting another five years," said Rexrode.
Cavell roughly estimated the cost of the building at around $300,000. This figure is not final and is pending the recommendations of an architect. Cavell hopes to have a better idea later this month how much the building will cost and what final design it will have.
"Can we raise the money through fees and fund-raisers? Probably yes," said Rexrode.
"As long as there is not taxpayer money," outgoing supervisor Lee Blagg added.
In other business, the board appointed Sherry Sullenberger, Don Farrell and Maggie Cavell to three-year terms on the recreation commission. The board appointed Kitty Lambert to fill the final year of the recreation commission seat vacated by Kirk Billingsley, who resigned so that he could dedicate his time to his newly elected seat on the school board.
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