The number of people at last night’s Peru City Council meeting may have filled an outdoor swimming pool if the city still had one working.
A large crowd turned out to give their two cents about trying to pay for a new pool. A couple of people say they’ll refuse to pay a 5 dollar a month pool fee if it gets tacked onto their utility bills.
Mayor Scott Harl suggested instead of five dollars for everyone, charge five percent of a person’s bill so higher utility users pay more towards the pool. The council again went against the mayor and passed the $5 a month fee. It would generate 336 thousand dollars a year but only go into effect if the city gets a DNR grant.
Alderman Dave Potthoff said he’s not certain this is the way to finance a pool, but they need to go forward at least with applying for a grant. He also suggests the city start an account for public donations towards the pool. Alderman Tony Ferrari says he’s already heard from a handful of people who want to pitch in money for a pool.
The estimated cost of a new pool is 3.5 million dollars. The grant could pay up to 75 percent of that cost.