(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board, Monday evening, discussed entry into Sunnyside Pool, in light of a staff shortage, and the possibility of increasing the Hotel/Motel Tax to pay for a Splash Pad and other, related matters. Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen appeared before the Board electronically, as he and two of his staff are out with COVID. Another staffer is out for a few more days with the virus. Rasmussen said some season pass holders to Sunnyside Pool have threatened to ask for reimbursement of their pass costs if they can’t get priority when there is limited admission to the pool when there are only one or two lifeguards on duty.

Bryant says the lifeguards are doing the best they can with the staff they have.

He says “Typically, pools lose money every single year. It’s a service we provide to the City of Atlantic.” Any money they do make is off gate fees and the concession stand. Rasmussen said “We’re doing our best to try and get as many patrons into [and out] of the pool as we possibly can, with respect to the amount of staff that we currently have there. Parks Board member John Krogman said understands the frustrations of season pass holders.

Krogman says “It’s an unfortunate situation given how staffing is at our pool and many other pools are around the State right now, but I don’t think we can limit [pool entry] or give preferential treatment just because you have a seasonal pass.” As it stands, there are four lifeguard available currently, three more are coming, and one more is coming in July. The issue is not just staffing the pool, it’s making sure the applicants pass the swimming test before they can be certified.

The staff they currently have, are working 40 or more hours per week.

In other Parks and Rec News, Board Chair Jolene Smith said she has been talking with Atlantic City Clerk Barb Barrick about getting more money to come into the pool, and increasing the amount of the hotel/motel tax from the current 4% to the maximum 7%, would be the best way to bring in more funds, especially when it comes to acquiring a splash pad, which surveys have indicated, is a desire of the people to have. The last time a measure to increase the hotel/motel tax went before the voters, was in November, 2017. The proposed three-percent increase failed by more than 53% of the vote. Smith said the Parks Department needs to do a better job of promoting what the funds would be used for.

If a proposed measure to increase the tax to 7%, it would come very close to paying for a splash pad project, Smith said. The Board agreed to continue with discussion during a work session.