Some Budget Points

In the interest of getting answers to some of the questions that resident have about the pools in Dearborn, SOP has taken a look at the budget.  There were a few things that didn't quite make sense and we wanted to share them with you.  On the first page of the 2013 Capital Improvements document, you will notice $13.6 million budgeted for a Conference Center.

Further down, you will see $120,000 budgeted for the removal of Neighborhood Pools.  This caused us to wonder, if the city is committed to finding a solution for the pools, through SADs or alternatives, then why budget to demolish them just one year from now?

Another interesting item is $4 million for a new Aquatic Facility at Ford Woods. Just to put it in perspective, using the SAD numbers provided for each pool, that $4 million could pay for:

• $500,000 capital improvements at all 6 small pools (extending the life 25 years for each)

AND

• Nearly 3 years worth of operation costs for all 6 small pools

All this, at a time when the millage needed to be passed and the pools need to be closed because the City of Dearborn just doesn't have the money to sustain.  What do you think?

For all of the Dearborn budget documents, click here.