At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, approval was given to Option 1 of the 2025 proposed fee schedule for the Ellsworth Swimming Pool.

According to Recreation Department Director Ron Tenbrink, he has received feedback from the public on the proposed fee schedule. He noted, however, that when it comes to revenue vs. expenses, the swimming pool is losing money. He noted the pool has expenses of roughly $85,000 per year, but makes only $52,000 in revenue. That leaves a $35,000 gap which, according to Interim City Administrator Allen J. Dinkel, is paid by property taxes.

This proposal addresses the increase in the operation costs of the swimming pool. This includes wages, supplies, chemicals and other items.

The monthly fee for all residential units within the city will continue to be assessed at a rate of $3 per month. In addition, the following admission and usage fees will be charged: Daily (ages 4 and under with an adult) — resident, free; nonresident, free.

Daily (ages 5 and older) — resident, $2; nonresident, $3. Season pass family — resident, $100; nonresident, $140. Season pass individual — resident, $30; nonresident, $70. Pool rental — $250 for two hours.

Tenbrink noted the definition of “family” — unlike in the past — now means household residents only.

“The guest list is going away,” he said.

Tenbrink said the recreation department continues to make improvements, including better pay and training for lifeguards and water features, which he said have been donated at no cost to the city. He reminded the council and the public that improvements mean increased cost.

“We can’t have things for free,” he said.

“We can try this and see how it goes,” council member Tyler Renard said.

In other business:

• Approval was given to Ordinance 3169, regulating the sale, handling, use and storage of fireworks within the City of Ellsworth, and repealing Ordinances 755 and 3033. Dinkel said based on discussion from the Feb. 24 council meeting, the following edits have been made to the drafted ordinance: Discharge time from noon-10 p.m. on July 1 and 2 each year; discharge time from noon July 3 to midnight July 4 each year; discharge time from noon July 4 to midnight July 5 each year; discharge time from 11:45 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:15 a.m. Jan. 1 each year.

The section on insurance requirements for the sale of fireworks has been removed, as was the section prohibiting the sale of fireworks in residential areas.

• After meeting with representatives from the Ellsworth County Fair Association Board of Directors, the consensus of the council was to have Dinkel and City Attorney Patrick Hoffman work with the association to finalize documents for a 40-year lease and the sale of the existing building to the association for the proposed livestock pavilion to be built on city-owned property.

Presently, a livestock barn is located on this property, but it is the association’s desire to construct a new complex with a multi-purpose arena for livestock and agri- cultural events in Ellsworth and Ellsworth County. A large portion of the funding is in place for the project and there is a desire to move forward at this time.

The proposed complex will be to the east of the present livestock barn, with an alley connecting the two structures.

The fair association is willing to purchase the storage building located between the two structures because they have use for it. The building is used for storage. In addition, Ellsworth Correctional Facility inmates who work for the city are based out of the building. The city could then construct another building in the city yards by the street and water departments.

• The council discussed advertising for the vacant city clerk position as well as for a public works director. They also discussed searching for a city administrator. The consensus was to go ahead and advertise for a city clerk and a public works director. They also chose to hold off on searching for a city administrator until after the election for mayor and several city council seats in November.

• Approval was given to Resolution 2025-16, amending the 2025 fee schedule.

• Approval was given to renew the football field maintenance agreement between the city and Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 for Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School for one year, with the option for a one-year renewal. • Consensus approval was given to a request by Ellsworth Fire Chief Ralph Doubrava to purchase 25 used 2013 model air packs at $500 each from the Manhattan Fire Department at a total cost of $12,500.

These would replace 25 2007 models. Doubrava said the newer air packs would save the department money and would add to firefighter safety.

• During the petitions and delegations portion of the meeting, Karen Shriner informed the council she would mow down once and back once in front of her house at 109 Cedar Crest Dr., but not in the street.

Jan Bontrager said since just one resident at the Pines Apartments uses the Ellsworth Swimming Pool, she asked for a reduction in the fee the city charges the Pines. Dinkel said he would give it some thought.

• Dan Moon asked the council to consider building two 2 feet by 20 feet backboards at the tennis courts.

One would be at the city tennis court in Krizek Park and the other would be at the EJSHS tennis court. Moon was told he would have to ask the high school about the one for those courts.

Cindy Miller thanked Tenbrink for all he has done for Ellsworth. She also thanked Hoffman for fighting to keep Ellsworth strong. She asked council member Don Panzer and Mayor Dan Finnegan, who attended the meeting via Zoom, to try to speak positively to one another at the end of the council meetings.

She also expressed hopes that Rhythm and Reels and Cowtown Days would possibly move together so the city could have both at the same time.

Panzer said after the last meeting, he felt terrible after he got home, so he texted Finnegan and asked him if they could get together and visit about how to move forward.

“Dustin (Stambaugh, former Ellsworth City Administrator) is gone,” Panzer said.“Now we need a new city clerk and we just hired a new (interim) city administrator and our differences in the past we need to put behind us,” Panzer said.

Panzer said Finnegan responded immediately that he agreed 100 percent.

“This week, Dan and I are going to sit down and talk and visit about things and see if we can get things resolved and move forward,” Panzer said.

• Panzer said he has been asked if a path could be taken by theowners of golf carts located at the shed near the golf course to the new car wash so their golf carts could be washed. Golf Course Manager Patrick Hammel said he thought it was a great idea. Ellsworth Police Chief Jerry Penny said he didn’t have a problem with it as long as the golf carts stayed on the street going directly to the car wash and back to the golf cart sheds.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, at city hall.