Madras, Ore. — The Madras Aquatic Center and Recreation District (MACRD) is facing a pivotal moment as it prepares to seek approval for a new permanent tax levy next month, a measure critical to securing the facility’s future. The proposal comes after a similar levy failed in the previous year’s election, leaving the district grappling with rising operational costs and an aging facility in need of repairs.
The plan, which seeks to dissolve the current district and re-establish it with a slightly reduced tax rate of $1.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value, aims to provide the MACRD with stable, long-term funding. This new tax rate would be lower than the previous levy attempt, but still faces opposition from a number of local residents.
Barb Niergarth, a long-time Madras resident, shared her concerns about the proposed levy. “I’m going to vote no,” she said. “Like I say, I don’t use it. I don’t have friends or family that use it. And again, it’s just not in my budget.”
Niergarth, who is retired and lives on a fixed income from Social Security, expressed a common worry among many voters: the affordability of higher taxes. “I’m a senior citizen living off Social Security,” she explained. “So, for me, it just doesn’t make sense. I don’t know what other people’s concerns are, but that’s probably my number one concern—is I just can’t afford it.”
Despite opposition, officials with the MACRD are urging voters to approve the measure, emphasizing that the new tax rate would not result in an increase from what residents are already paying. Jinnell Lewis, the vice chair for the MACRD Board of Directors, explained that the goal is not to raise taxes but to stabilize funding for the center’s operations. “We’re asking that people keep the current tax rate they’ve been paying but allow us to expand and give everyone in the community the things they’ve wanted,” Lewis said. “To increase open swims, increase hours of operation to offer more opportunity for the youth and the elderly that need low-impact opportunities in the pool.”
The Madras Aquatic Center has already reduced its hours of operation by nearly 35% since September, which has impacted its ability to serve the community. The facility is also falling behind on much-needed maintenance, including the replacement of sand filters, which cost around $32,000. Scott Taylor, chairman of Friends of the MACRD, highlighted the ongoing maintenance struggles. “They use a lot more energy to produce the heat for the pool, and the pool can’t get as warm,” Taylor said. “Replacement of the large filters, such as the sand filters, costs about $32,000, which all adds up when you don’t have capital funds to address these issues.”
Another significant issue for the Aquatic Center is the limited hours of operation. Officials have stated that the center cannot expand its hours or services until the levy passes. This has led to growing frustration among local residents who rely on the pool for recreational and fitness activities.
As the vote draws near, the future of the Madras Aquatic Center hinges on the community’s willingness to support the levy. While some residents, like Niergarth, remain opposed, others are concerned about the impact the center’s decline could have on the local quality of life. The outcome of this vote will determine whether the Aquatic Center can continue to provide valuable services to Madras residents, or if it will face further reductions in service and maintenance.
For now, the MACRD and its supporters are urging voters to consider the long-term benefits of the levy, including increased access to swimming programs and necessary repairs to ensure the facility remains operational for years to come.
