The aging 50-meter outdoor pool at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center could finally get replaced if Salt Lake County voters approve a $100 million recreation bond this November.

The Salt Lake County Council voted 8-1 on Aug. 6 to place the general obligation bond on the fall ballot, clearing the last legislative hurdle before the measure goes to voters. The Cottonwood Heights pool replacement, estimated at $11.55 million on the advisory board's recommended project list, is among dozens of projects the bond would fund across the valley.

For families who swim laps at the rec center, the vote means a new facility is now one election away.

No tax increase

County spokesperson Eric Biggart said the bond will not raise property taxes because it replaces the expiring 2016 bond at the same rate. "The average homeowner with a house worth $658,000 in Salt Lake County will continue contributing about $17 a year to park projects," Biggart said, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Salt Lake County has issued recreation bonds in 1997, 2006, 2012 and 2016. The 2016 bond was $90 million. This cycle's $100 million package would be split roughly 40% for maintenance of county recreation areas, just under 25% to finish projects already underway and 37% for new development.

Johnson casts lone 'no' vote

Council member Jiro Johnson, a Democrat who represents most of Salt Lake City and portions of the valley's west side, cast the lone dissenting vote. He said he wanted the council to consider adding more funds for projects in West Jordan and Salt Lake City.

$160 million backlog

The bond addresses a fraction of a larger problem. County records from the Recreation Bond Advisory Board show approximately $160 million in deferred maintenance spread across more than 300 line items system-wide. The county's annual recreation fund covers only about $10 million per year, making the once-a-decade bond the primary vehicle for catching up on capital needs.

The Cottonwood Heights pool project was presented to the advisory board on July 10 as a new project application, with Lyse' Durrant listed as the project contact. The board recommended the project list to the county council in mid-July.

What's next

Cottonwood Heights residents will vote on the bond in the November general election. If approved, the county can issue up to $100 million in bonds to fund projects across the valley.