The most pressing conversation at the recent Zumbrota City Council meeting was the funding of the community pool project, a long-anticipated initiative which has hit a financial snag. The project, initially estimated to cost $4.626 million, is currently short by about $1 million. A $3 million bond was sought, and a dedicated fundraising committee has already contributed $626,000, but these funds fall short of the total required. The council discussed the possible need to raise an additional $700,000 to $1 million to cover the deficit.

During the public comment period, concerns were voiced about the financial burden this shortfall might impose on taxpayers, particularly if the council opted for an intra-fund loan. Such a loan would require borrowing from the city’s own funds, with the interest rate to be determined by the council. This approach raised questions about fairness, as the pool project was initially presented as a community-supported initiative with a fixed budget. One participant expressed skepticism about asking community members to shoulder more financial responsibilities, highlighting that the project’s promise was not fully realized by the community’s fundraising efforts.

The council defended its stance by emphasizing the project’s importance and popularity, citing a 71% approval rate in a previous referendum. It was noted that delaying the project could result in increased costs due to inflation, potentially pushing the project beyond reach. The council considered scaling down the project to fit the available budget but ultimately decided to continue fundraising throughout the construction process, as the pool’s completion did not require full funding upfront.

To address the funding gap, the council proposed a special meeting on October 23 to discuss bid acceptance and explore various funding options, including tax abatements and internal loans. A pre-bid meeting scheduled for October 9 aims to gather contractor interest and explore potential in-kind donations to offset costs. The council emphasized the need for transparency and thorough planning, scheduling a work session on October 15 to discuss potential financial strategies before awarding bids.

In addition to the pool project, the council examined the city’s billing practices, with a focus on transitioning to electronic billing to reduce costs. Discussions revealed that a portion of the community, particularly the elderly, still preferred paper bills. The possibility of imposing a fee for paper billing was debated as a means to encourage electronic billing, though concerns were raised about potentially burdening those who rely on traditional methods. The council acknowledged the need to balance cost-saving measures with community needs, particularly in light of ongoing issues with lost bills and postage expenses.

The council also addressed the need for a new city auditor, following the current auditor’s decision to cease conducting municipal audits. A request for proposals was approved, with expectations that new contract bids might exceed the current $26,000 cost.

Another topic was the internal posting for the public works director position, with the council opting to advertise the position internally due to the presence of qualified candidates within the city’s current staff. Applications are set to be submitted by October 16.