“A Wish List”: Shotspotter technology, community WIFI for at-risk children, pool for swimming lessons, license plate readers, Downtown parking. . .

The items above, and many more, are issues local governments have to grapple with every budget cycle.

This year’s budget cycle has not been kind to the City of Lake Worth (there is a City budget meeting tomorrow; details below).

On top of everything else we received a $450,000 bill for upgrades to FEC track crossings, we learned the City’s pier may have major problems with “spalling” concrete (an engineering report will be issued), and Shotspotter technology which would be a huge benefit for our City we found out is by subscription and very expensive.

And don’t forget — some loud voices in the public want a brand new pool at the Beach too (read more about that below) — a facility not affordable for so many families in our community, many with children that need to learn how to swim, a public safety priority.

There is good news, however. The City of Lake Worth is receiving funds from the County ¢1 County sales tax proceeds. How are other cities grappling with all these pressing issues during the budget process? Here’s a blog post from yesterday.

From Post reporter
Lulu Ramadan:

“Eight projects on Delray’s penny
sales tax revenue wish list”.

There are some very interesting items on the City of Delray Beach’s “wish list” and one of them, license plate readers, may be on the City of Lake Worth’s list as well. Below are excerpts from the Post article this week.

But first, here is the agenda for Lake Worth’s budget meeting tomorrow:

Lake Worth City Commission Budget Work Session
Tuesday, August 22nd, 6:00
Item 3: Updates/future action/direction
A. FY 2018 Budget wrap-up overview.
B. FY 2018 Review of policies and direction.

Check back tomorrow for how to watch this meeting Live Streaming.

Last July the City of Lake Worth had a work session to prepare a preliminary “wish list” for the proceeds from the ¢1 County sales tax increase. However, because the infrastructure here in Lake Worth was ignored and allowed to deteriorate for so long, most (or all) of the County ¢1 sales tax proceeds will have to used for the necessities, e.g., roads and infrastructure projects.

The City of Delray Beach has some leeway to be more creative. Use this link to read the entire article by Post reporter Lulu Ramadan.

Here are two items from the Delray Beach
“wish list”:

Hybrid downtown trolley. The city has a Downtown Trolley Roundabout that transports patrons and employees from parking lots throughout the downtown to the businesses on East Atlantic Avenue. [emphasis added] It has budgeted $1.5 million for a new, environmentally-friendly electric or hybrid trolley, according to the [City] report.

and. . .

Skate park. About $410,000 is set aside to repair and replace the skate park at city-owned 505 Teen Center, a drop-in center for local youth at 505 SE 5th Ave.

Here’s an idea from Delray that Lake Worth Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell has been pushing for to help lower the crime rate in certain areas of the City:

License plate readers. The city [Delray Beach] aims to purchase license-plate readers for the downtown “to reduce crime in high tourist areas” for $400,000, the report says. It adds: “Nearby cities are already utilizing these technologies to reduce crimes and have higher percentage of crimes solved.”

Lastly, one more from the Delray “wish list”:

Pompey Park pool.* About $470,000 was budgeted to redesign the pool at Pompey Park, at 1101 NW 2nd St, as well as add shading and improve the indoor gymnasium, according to the report.

It’s nice to see a city address the needs of residents and families that need to learn how to swim, isn’t it?

But here in the City of Lake Worth some still want a brand new pool at the Beach to replace the “white elephant” that was condemned last December and ignored by a previous commission when the Casino was ‘renovated’ back in 2012. Even prior to 2012 everyone knew the pool at the Beach was a big problem but it was “kicked down the road”.

Remember when the pool was shut down in 2010?

And whereas parking is FREE at almost every public pool, to use the pool at the Lake Worth Beach cost $4 (2 hour minimum) every time to park.

No wonder so many kids never used it; many parents couldn’t afford it. For a family of four it cost $16 for 2 hours each trip to the pool at the Beach. Staying longer than two hours and it gets even more expensive (note: that doesn’t include a soda or a slice of pizza).

But with the elections looming in March 2018, some continue to pander to a very small but loud group of constituents.

The editor at The Lake Worth Herald nailed it
when he wrote about a pool at the Beach,
“Does it have to be there?”

Lake Worth does have some under-utilized parks with enough space to accommodate an aquatic center and should consider investing in a pool somewhere other than the beach.
     Bryant Park has space, but that would raise the ire of those who walk their dogs in the park. What is more important, dogs or children?
     What about Sunset Ridge Park, there might be enough space there too.
     Go to the north end of the city, there sits numerous baseball and softball fields, some of which are never or seldom used. Take PONY field for example, it is in shambles and occupies a large portion of the park area.

But once again, as is the case way too often, the hard decisions and political will have to wait until after the elections are over.

*From the City of Delray Beach: Pompey Park Pool is a modern aquatic facility adjacent to the Pompey Park Recreation Center. It is fully accessible and meets ADA regulations.

• Facilities: Drinking fountain, restrooms, swimming pool, wheelchair accessible.
• Activities: Swimming, swimming lessons, aquatic exercise, scuba diving lessons.
• Hours of operation: Tuesday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 and 4:00–8:00 pm; Saturday 9:00–5:00.