Pool referendum decision expected next Monday

How much is a public swimming pool worth to you?  The mayor of Peru is suggesting a new pool would cost homeowners more for property taxes each year.

The pool referendum would ask you if you’re willing to pay higher property taxes to pay for a new pool according to Mayor Scott Harl.  The city council debated the idea Monday night.  The referendum would be advisory.

That worries Aldermen Rodney Perez.  He doesn’t think people will support a referendum that raises their taxes and wants the city to cut more money from the budget to pay for a new pool.

The group Friends for Peru Pool doesn’t want a referendum either.  Group member Debbie Noonan says the city budgeted for a pool for more than 80 years

But Harl says there’s nothing else to cut that would pay for a pool.

The aldermen will have a resolution to vote on next Monday.