Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool faces budget shortfall after new levy fails to be collected

The Leavenworth City Council approved a $200,000 interfund loan to address a budget shortfall for the Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool arising from a levy collection error. The Chelan County Assessor’s Office failed to include a new 15-cent levy per $1,000 of assessed value, resulting in only $200,000 collected instead of the anticipated $410,000. City Finance Director Chantell Steiner highlighted the urgency of capital improvements needed before the pool's opening. During a recent council meeting, Levy Administrator Stacy Wuolle acknowledged the error but maintained it fell within a “gray area” of misunderstanding. Councilmember Anne Hessburg disagreed, insisting it was clear-cut.

The council's decision to secure funding through an interest-free loan from the General Fund, which has $1. 4 million in reserve, provides immediate relief. Wuolle suggested seeking a loan from the Chelan County Board of Commissioners to cover the shortfall until tax revenues are corrected. However, council members expressed concerns about the potential delay and loss of control in that approach.