City Council Creates New Position for Municipal Pool
Photo by Rose Shababy (Bonners Ferry City Council members Rick Alonzo, Ron Smith, Adam Arthur and Valerie Thompson and Mayor Richard Staples)
BONNERS FERRY — At Tuesday night's city council meeting, City Engineer Mike Klaus gave a report about the city water quality, addressing recent concerns from the public in a bullet point list.
City Administrator Lisa Ailport also asked the council to consider a new position at the city municipal pool. Previously, there has only been a head lifeguard position, with administrative duties and tasks performed by other city employees and/or departments. Ailport proposed creating a new position of pool manager.
The plan would be to merge the head lifeguard and new pool manager positions, and adding a bump in pay. The increase could be at least partially offset by the new pool manager taking over duties previously handled by Street and Water Department for the municipal pool, costing that department approximately $5,700.
The position would also require hiring, training and scheduling the new lifeguards, chemical testing and adjustments, water level adjustments, day to day maintenance, managing the overall budget for the pool, and more.
Ailport also discussed finding augmented funding sources to try and extend the pool season beyond the customary 10 weeks. She has been talking with foundations and organizations like the Long Bridge Swim and the Equinox Foundation for assistance. Feedback has been promising, but nothing has been confirmed. She said that it costs approximately $5,000 per week to run the municipal pool.
In the past, the pool season has been cut short due to staffing issues, particularly with keeping certified guards on staff. The city municipal pool is a Red Cross-certified pool and must comply with specific requirements. Last year, lifeguards from Sandpoint were trained at the municipal pool as well.
After some questions and discussion about funding, the city council voted to approve the creation of the new position.
Correction: The article has been updated to correct an error; the city of Bonners Ferry operates the municipal pool at $5,000/week and not $15,000/week.