Proposition 4 - $19.8 Million in G.O. Bonds for a Swimming Pool at
Dimond Park

Q: What is the purpose of Proposition 4?
A: If Proposition 4 is approved, an approximately 33,700 sq. ft. swimming facility would be constructed at Dimond Park. Plans call for a 6-lane lap pool with a diving board and a zero-entry warm water pool for learn-to-swim programs, senior aerobics, and other water safety programs. Locker rooms, spectator seating, mechanical rooms, and small administrative areas would also be constructed. In addition to serving the community, the proposed pool facility is designed to serve Juneau students in a variety of ways, including hosting statewide swimming and diving meets, and providing a facility for the reinstatement of school learn-to-swim programs.

Q: Since this pool will be used by students in the Juneau School District, does it qualify for state funding assistance?
A: Yes. The State Department of Education estimated that costs for approximately 44% of the facility are eligible for reimbursement under the State’s school bond debt reimbursement program. The State program allows 60% of the eligible costs of these sorts of projects to be reimbursed (pools in Petersburg and Kodiak have received state reimbursement for pool construction by providing educational swimming programs similar to what is planned for the Juneau pool). This means that the State of Alaska would pick up $5.2 million of the total cost (that is, 60% of 44% of the total) leaving $14.6 to be funded by local dollars.

Q: How is this project different from the Dimond Park Aquatic Center proposed to voters
in 2005?
A: After voters did not approve the use of sales taxes to fund an aquatic center in 2005, interested citizens worked together to redesign a smaller facility. They designed a pool with six lanes, not eight lanes as previously proposed, and they also reduced the size of the water recreation and administrative areas. The proposed size of this project is about 27% smaller than the 46,200 sq. ft. project proposed in 2005. The 2005 project would have used $26 million of local sales taxes plus $2 million in other funding. This project is expected to cost $14.6 million in local funding and $5.2 million in State funding.

Q: If Proposition 4 is approved, how will it affect property taxes?
A: The State is expected to fund $5.2 million, or approximately 26%, of the total cost of the project. Assuming the State fully funds the reimbursement program, the total annual debt service costs, assuming an interest rate of 4.75%, would be $1.4 million. This amount of debt service would require an annual tax levy of $34 per $100,000 of assessed value for each of the next 15 years. The actual mill levy will vary depending upon total assessed property values and the annual appropriations for the State’s bond debt reimbursement program.

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