A new swimming pool in Yuma will hinge on the outcome of November’s election.
The City of Yuma is putting a ballot question before the voters seeking permission to issue bonds and impose a temporary sales and use tax to construct, equip and operate a city pool.
The resolution was passed on a 5-1 vote during last week’s Yuma City Council regular meeting. Mayor Tim McClung, Mayor Pro-tem Jerome Benish, and Dan Baucke, Terri Frame, Vanessa Dischner and Marc Shay were present. Zach Diaz was absent. Dischner cast the dissenting vote.
The plan is to issue $6 million in bonds with a maximum payback of $9.5 million. That is based on a 6-percent interest rate. City Clerk/Treasurer Karma Wells explained the interest rate, and the accompanying payback, likely will be less, but the higher numbers need to be used because underestimating would result in the city not being able to pay back the bonds.
The sales and use tax being sought to raise funds to pay off the bonds is set at 0.75 percent. The ballot question will ask for approval to collect up to $1.5 million in the first year. Wells explained that figure is higher than anticipated; if the city collects more than what is approved, it would have to payback the extra funds to the tax payers.
There is a sunset to the proposed sales and use tax. It would terminate on the first day of the calendar year after the final bond payment is made.
The new pool would be located where the current one is at Yuma City Park, which now is named Cool Acres. Renaming the park was unanimously approved by resolution during last week’s meeting.
Cool Acres was the title used for the different grants the city received for to help pay for the upgrades at the park. The upgrades include the ADA-compliant walking path, new playground equipment and the splash pad that will be in operation next spring. It was stated Cool Acres better reflects Yuma’s identity as a farming community while giving the park a unique, memorable brand, and helps it stand out as a welcoming space for residents and visitors.
City Manager Eric Duthie told the council it was his request to bring it before the council because he wanted its authorization for the name change. Council members said they liked the new name.
Lett Hotel
The council approved accepting the review and recommendation of the building inspector regarding the Lett Hotel.
The vote allows for the new owners to move forward with removal of the porch and the shed in back, pending final approval from the Yuma Historic Preservation Commission. That is it for now, though.
Duthie told the council the owners made a presentation to the commission, and the commission recommended following the report and is positive about moving forward. Duthie said the commission still needs to have one more meeting to formally approve the demolition of the porch and shed.
The are still lead and asbestos reports to deal with, along with a structural engineer report before moving forward with any decisions about the building’s overall future.
Rate increases
The second reading of ordinances increasing the water rate and changing the sewer rate were approved unanimously.
Beginning in January 2026, the new water rate will be $25.25 for up to 5,000 gallons, and $2.08 for each additional 1,000 gallons. The current rates are $22.62 and $1.85. It was stated the new rates will cost the average residential customer about $13 more.
The sewer rate is being changed from the Equivalent Residential Unit charge to a flow-based charge. The monthly service charge will be $15, and the usage rate will be $4.03 per 1,000 gallons. The flow charge will be based on water use in December, January and February. Duthie clarified that November will be used only if a new customer has no previous use history with the city.
It will take affect next year as well.
The city also is in the process of increasing the electrical rate.
The second reading of that ordinance will be held at a later meeting.
More meeting
• Duthie told the council the city is considering creating a hearing administration officer, which would expedite the nuisance citation timeline. He reported that he has met with Northeaster Junior College and Yuma School District-1 administration, and both are interested in maybe having unpaid interns with the city. He said he and the mayor will speak at local youth leadership program. Interim Police Chief Curtis Witte also will be speaking.
• A state grant for new cardiac monitors for the Yuma Ambulance Service was approved, as well as the purchase of the monitors. The grant is for $49,000 and the total cost is $103,000.
• Applying for a Charge Ahead Colorado grant was approved. It would be for installing EV charging stations in Yuma.
• The second amendment to the power purchase agreement with SE Municipal Colorado, LLC was approved. It changes the operation date for the solar energy plant at the waster water treatment location from September to the end of December. The delay damages also have been doubled.
• The pipeline agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe for the railroad bore on Main St. was approved.
• A construction contract with Concrete Specialties for the water line project on N. Main was approved. It will go from Benson Ave. to Beatty Ave., then on the other side of Beatty one block to Benson Ave.
• The council approved amending the construction contract with Concrete Specialties for the water line replacement and railroad bore, changing the finish date from August 31, 2025 to July 31, 2026.
• The council tabled action on participation in the opioid settlement until it is determined what kind of money is involved.
• An agreement with Millan Asphalt and Crushing, LLC for concrete and asphalt crushing was approved. It is not to exceed $90,000.
• The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office for its use of the training tower at the airport. The tower is a joint project between the Yuma police and fire departments.
• The city is hiring a law firm and a consultant to make sure everything is safe electronically on the city’s side of things, after receiving a fraudulent email on an ACH payment to the city. Insurance will be footing the bill.
• The council spent about 20 minutes at the end of the meeting discussing details of an Alternative Dwelling Unit ordinance with the city attorney’s office.