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City Manager Steve Schaub proposed the addition of one mil for five years onto the city's taxes to fund the necessary renovations and updates to keep the pool open, as well as complete other renovations in the park.

"That would come up to, if it was approved, when it's all said and done probably $200,000. That could be used for match money for grants," Schaub said. "I've heard people say that we'll never get a millage to pass. I have a simple belief-you're never going to dance with the homecoming queen if you're not at the dance and you don't ask."

Councilman Bill Kmet noted that a survey taken earlier this year showed that nearly 80 percent of the community felt the pool was important or very important to them. However, Kmet suggested that literature and information distributed on the millage should include specific projects that the funds would be used for in order to improve its chances of passage.

Schaub also informed council of his intent to ask the neighboring townships to include a similar millage on their ballots. Councilman Dennis Cargill asked if council felt that the support of the townships was necessary to put the millage on the city's ballot, and it was decided that they should go ahead with the millage regardless of township support.

Council members Stephen Quade and Ron Elliott questioned the choice not to include operational costs in the millage's wording.

(If) we get this money and if (the other townships) put in the same, we'll have all of this extra money, $60,000 or $70,000, but if we can't use any of it for operations, it'll cost us another $42,000 from our general budget when our general budget is almost nothing by the end of the year, that's where I have a problem," Elliott said.

"I just don't want to get into a jam where we don't have the money to run it. We can make rebuild it and make it beautiful, we just can't run it."

However, Cargill noted that including operational costs with the millage would bring the millage up for renewal every five years, which would lessen its chances for passage.

Councilman Charles Zampich suggested that the decision on the language be postponed until the Aug. 4 meeting, but as the language for the millage must be turned into the county by Aug. 20, other council members felt that would not give the townships enough time to consider including the millage.

The proposal would appear on the November General Election ballot.

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