City of Fillmore

The City Council rejected all bids to replaster the Aquatic Center pool Tuesday, August 10. In July 2020, Ventura County Health Division (VCHD) staff brought to the City staffs attention that the deteriorated condition of the pool surfaces triggered the need for the pool to be resurfaced. The project was to take three months at a total cost not to exceed $521,223.80.

When this project was put out to bid, the City believed that the Fillmore Unified School District, (District), which has exclusive use of the pool 8 months of the year, would be paying half of the cost of this work. Unfortunately, the City and District have been unable to negotiate an agreement due to demands by the District.

The District included language allowing it to walk away from the agreement for any reason and not have to pay for the resurfacing work already paid for by the city. In addition, the District demanded use of the pool during the City’s exclusive use of the facility (Memorial Day to Labor Day) for two hours Monday — Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm when the City provides programming for the residents — programs include Mommy and Me, private and group swim lessons, water aerobics, recreation swim and other activities.

The District has exclusive use of the facility for eight-months beginning after Labor Day through one week prior to Memorial Day and pays $4,500 per month totaling $36,000 per year. In 2019, non-personnel costs for the City to maintain the facility totaled over $67,000 during this eight months. City staff time to maintain the pool in 2019 during the District’s use period exceeded $56,000, for a total cost in 2019 of more than $124,000 to support non-city activities. This is part of the reason why the Aquatic Center has a fund balance deficit totaling $856,500.

Because many District students are City residents, the City has agreed to some subsidy of the District’s use, however the District cannot continue to pay the same reduced costs when the City’s cost for the District use increase each year. The City asked the District to pay a modest cost of living increase each year of this agreement on the nominal utility charges only. There has been no increase in over two years. The City also offered to provide pool time when the City did not have programming during its exclusive use time, and suggested that the District pay the City back over three years, instead of requiring for payment upfront for the replastering work.

The demands by the District are regrettably too burdensome to overcome. “It is unfortunate we were not able to come to a reasonable agreement. Approving the version of the agreement that the District sent the City on the morning of the City Council meeting would be irresponsible to the City’s residents. We were striving for a win-win agreement. Unfortunately, the District wanted a win-lose agreement which ultimately hurts their students who participate in water polo and swimming” said Mark Austin, Mayor.

Questions regarding the press release should be directed to David Rowlands, City Manager at (805) 524-1500 or Tiffany Israel, City Attorney at (949) 250-5411.