Solutions
We are working to protect community access to the Honey Lake Valley Community Pool through real, sustainable solutions. Our focus is on reducing overhead costs, restoring trust through local oversight, preserving vital programs like the Lassen High School Swim Team, and ensuring the pool remains open and accessible for youth, seniors, and families.
Special District
Positives of Forming a Special District for the Community Pool
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1. Free Public Swim for District Residents
All households within the special district will receive free access to public swim for every member of their household. This benefit makes swimming accessible to all families in the community and encourages healthy, recreational use of the facility.
2. Year-Round Pool Access
A special district would be eligible to secure funding to enclose the pool, allowing it to operate year-round. This would significantly expand opportunities for swim teams, swim lessons, aquatic fitness classes, therapy programs, and public recreation—especially during colder months when indoor options are limited.
3. Dedicated Funding Stream
A special district can levy taxes or assessments specifically earmarked for the pool’s operation, maintenance, and programs. This ensures consistent funding and reduces reliance on unstable or competitive city or county budgets.
4. Local Control and Accountability
By establishing an elected board, community members have direct oversight of decisions, ensuring transparency and alignment with local priorities. This addresses concerns about appointed boards and promotes trust in governance.
5. Flexibility in Revenue Generation
Special districts can pursue various funding sources, including:
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Grants and donations
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User fees for programs and services
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Fundraising events, such as the music festival model used by Quincy, CA
6. Community Engagement
With governance rooted in the community, residents are more likely to participate in decision-making processes and support initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the facility.
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7. Real Reform: Solving Management, Governance, and Cost Issues
Creating a special district is not just about funding; it’s about replacing the broken structure that currently limits the pool’s success. It eliminates the inefficiencies of inflated salaries, the lack of accountability in the current board setup, and the mismanagement that has frustrated community members for years. This is a clean slate, a complete, community-driven solution to give the pool the management, priorities, and programs it truly needs.
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Forming a special district is the bold, smart, and community-centered solution we've been waiting for. It delivers stable funding, gives residents direct control, fixes the management and salary problems, and opens the door to year-round access, inclusive programming, and true transparency. This is how we turn the pool into the community asset it was always meant to be.