No one likes the idea of paying more taxes, but the prospect of having no pool in town is even more dismal.
Hillsboro is moving toward an interesting conversation in the coming months as city leaders pull together hard numbers regarding the cost of building a new aquatic center. They plan to present for a public vote a proposal that we build such a center and pay for it with a sales tax increase-likely three-eighths or one-half cent.
Anything that smacks of a tax increase is unpopular in today's climate. Those of us who aren't swimmers, or no longer have children young enough to get a lot of use out of a new pool, will be tempted to say no to such a proposal.
But city leaders tell us the real choice is not between building a new pool or keep using the old one. Rather, the choice is build a new pool or have no pool because our old one is near its end.
Can a community that claims to be concerned about the future of its schools, and therefore wants to attract more young families move here, afford to be without a swimming pool?
We'll wait to see what the proposal actually looks like when it's drafted, but on principle at least, this is a no-brainer. -DR
