Preliminary election results look positive for Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool

CHELAN COUNTY – Upper Valley Parks and Recreation Service Area (PRSA) Proposition No. 1 has received nearly 72 percent approval in preliminary election results, granting optimism to the future of Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool. 

The PRSA funds 50 percent of the community pool’s annual operations budget through a property tax levy. Every six years, the levy must receive 60 percent of voter approval for reauthorization. If the levy does not pass, the pool could face a significant reduction in operations or the possibility of a permanent closure.

For this election, the PRSA proposed a higher levy rate, at 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. According to Upper Valley Aquatics Boosters (UVAB), the higher rate would generate around $463,000 in annual revenue for the PRSA. 

This year, the pool’s 2024 budget includes $417,000 in maintenance and operational costs and emergency repair costs. Capital reserve dollars were used to make up the difference of cost exceeding revenue. 

As of 8 p.m. on Aug. 6, the levy authorization had received 912 votes of approval and 374 rejections. Just over 12,000 ballots had been counted, with an estimated 7,296 remaining. The next ballot count is anticipated for Aug. 9 at 4 p.m.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media