Efforts by Lassen County officials to secure additional funding for the Honey Lake Valley Community Pool’s fall season were unsuccessful. Chairman and District 3 Supervisor Tom Neely, also chair of the Honey Lake Valley Recreation Authority (HLVRA), attempted to persuade the county to contribute between $7,250 and $9,250 in response to a request from Susanville City Manager Dan Newton. The total estimated expenses for the fall season ranged from $14,500 to $18,500, with the city having already committed to cover the entire amount at its June 4 meeting.
District 1 Supervisor Mike Scanlan, who also serves on the HLVRA board, expressed his belief that the city should handle the funding, stating that city residents benefit more than county residents. He suggested that the county’s funds would be better spent on other pressing needs, such as road repairs.
District 4 Supervisor Aaron Albaugh questioned how long the county would continue to contribute to the pool, noting that the current obligation extends until 2028. He highlighted that the city benefits from a 1 percent sales tax increase on purchases made by county residents, implying that the county had already contributed indirectly.
District 2 Supervisor Gary Bridges remarked on the high cost per student for the swim team. When Neely sought a motion to support the funding request, no supervisor stepped forward. Neely then made the motion himself, but it failed for lack of a second.
Neely expressed disappointment over the inability to meet the funding obligation established in the agreement to support the pool until 2028. He pointed out that while pool expenses had surged by 62 percent, revenues had only increased by 25 percent, highlighting a lack of provisions to address inflation.
Scanlan reiterated that the supervisors had committed to funding a fixed amount of $80,000 annually through 2028, and they had fulfilled that obligation. He emphasized that there was no agreement for indefinite funding or covering all costs associated with the pool, reinforcing the position that the city should take on its funding responsibilities.
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