Wellington Council approves trash improvements without automated curb service; swimming pool finances discussed…
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The City of Wellington’s flirtation with an automated curbside trash service appears to be officially dead as the Wellington City Council voted 4-2 to issue $1.08 in general obligation bonds for refuse disposal improvements Tuesday.
The new bonds will fund $866,000 for building a new transfer station at the Wellington landfill south of town. It will also call for a new sanitation collection truck. Other fees include $86,000 for design, bidding and construction administrations services and $130,000 for a new backhoe.
A 20-year bond will have an average annual payment of $80,102 which is essentially the same amount of money in the Sanitary Utility and Equipment Reserve Funds.
“We are operating at a balanced budget,” said Jeremy Jones, Wellington Director of Public Works.
The 4-2 vote including opposition from Kip Etter and Kelly Hawley, and support from Jim Valentine, Kevin Dodds, Jennifer Heersche and Joe Soria. This was essentially the same vote line that killed a $2.1 million bond proposal in January that would have included an automated recycling service in Wellington. The vote, originally supported by the previous council, was reversed by the new council that took over in January.
Jones also recommended a fee increase beginning January 1, 2019 that will include $2 per ton and a monthly increase to collection rates of $.50 for residential and 3.3 percent for commercial.
With approval, the project will help the city handle an additional 13,250 tons of addition solid water that is brought to the facility.
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Swimming pool finances
Wellington Recreation Commission Superintendent Cody White came to the council to address the financial condition of the Wellington Aquatic Center during the audience participation portion of the meeting after reports in social media that the pool finances were in dire straight.
White said, on the contrary, the pool had one of its best years in memory. The pool lost $30,597.32. In 2017, the WRC loss was at $47,530.
While that sounds like a lot, swimming pools are notorious money losers, throughout the nation. White estimated that to maintain a pool it costs anywhere from $90 to $100 an hour when you factor in man power, chemicals, maintenance, etc. There is no way, a pool can generate that kind of revenue to match it on the other side of the ledger.
White also said that attendance was up, around 15,365 swimmers in 2018.
Wellington council member Kelly Hawley asked when was the last time there was an admission price increase. White said there hasn’t been one since 2013. Currently, adults get in for $3.50 and $2.50 for children.
Wellington council member Joe Soria said he was at a municipal conference, and he was surprised to learn how pools and natural parks are financial drainers, and the quest to break even is nearly impossible. But improving the quality of life of our youth is more important.
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In other news:
•There will be a retirement reception for Dale Miller, Master technician, electric distribution at the Wellignton’s City Hall on Friday, Sept. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. with the presentation at 3 p.m.
•The Wellington Airport will be the first stop for the “Fly Kansas” Air Tour to be held Thursday, Sept. 27.
•The council approved applications for the closing of streets for the Kansas Fun Run, the Washington Jog a Ton, the Drive Thru Flu Clinic, and the Church of the Nazarene Block Party.
