SNOHOMISH TIMES NEWS, SPORTS, BUSINESS, REPORT AND OPINION

Mayor Guzak finds a way to get the school district pool project moving again after a disappointing city council meeting on Monday.

The Snohomish city council voted 4-3 against gifting nearly 6 million dollars to the Snohomish school district for operations of their new pool project that has been stalled due to operational cost estimates.

The money wouldn’t actually change hands between the two taxing authorities, it would simply move from the City’s general fund to the utility fund earmarked for the water and sewer account of the proposed new pool operations.

The operational costs are estimated to be nearly $100,000 the first year and grow to nearly $325,000 by year thirty.

Mayor Guzak found herself on the short end of the vote on Monday, a place she rarely visits. Unsatisfied with that outcome a meeting was arranged between the school district, the Mayor and two of the wayward council members, Councilman Hamilton and Councilman Kaftanski. The reason for the meeting was simple, find a solution that satisfies the concerns of at least one of the remaining dissenting votes.

Success! The meeting was reported to be a success in regards to tightening up the language that had the councilmembers camping on the opposing side to the Mayors wishes.

“This is a victory for all school district taxpayers” said Jody Hutchinson. “The money that the city donates to the school district is money that the district can use for other projects elsewhere, like Seattle Hill Elementary or Valley View and Machias” she said. Hutchinson talked with us while picking up her step son at Glacier Peak High School.

Mayor Guzak is looking to jump start the city’s economy with the pool project and hopes the pool will bring people into town to spend their money.

The stage is set for a ‘YES’ vote for compensation to the school district if they build the new Aquatics Center inside the city limits.