City Council Talks Pool Repair, and COVID-crushed Budget

At the City Council meeting in Willow Springs on June 18, all aldermen were present except newly re-elected Alderman Troy Yonker. Also newly re-elected, Alderwoman Susan Rackley was sworn in by City Clerk Alicia Worley. Yonker will be sworn in at a later date when he is available. 

On the subject of the City’s budget, City Administrator Beverly Hicks reported the City is about 6% behind on revenue income, but she was pleasantly surprised to see the revenue numbers for June. She says all departments have been mindful of their spending and have managed to keep on budget. Beginning and ending balances on the City’s balance sheets were roughly the same. 

The council moved on to discuss a bid for work on the Willow Springs Water Park. The pool complex was built in 1972 and partially redone in 2005, Hicks reported. With the pool closed for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is taking action to perform much-needed repairs. Because the pool repair company is extremely busy this summer, repairs are expected to extend into Spring 2021, but should be completed in time for pool season.  

According to a bid from Westport Pools in Maryland Heights, Mo., the absolutely necessary repairs will cost about $150,000. The pertinent question is where this sum will come from since it was not in the 2020 budget. 

Alderman Phil Knott pointed out that there is no need to come up with all the money at once, since the repairs will be spread out over an extended period of time. Hicks reminded the Council that the 2020 budget for the pool remains in the budget available for use. 

Alderwoman Rackley made a motion, seconded by Alderman Knott to spend the 2020 pool budget on the first steps of the pool repair: pressure testing and valve testing. 

The Council concluded with a discussion of new signage for the three-way intersection at Eleventh St. and Ferguson. 

The next City Council meeting will take place at City Hall on July 23 at 5:00 p.m.