The same proposal created a big splash one year ago when the City Council recommended it, and public outcry kept the 43-year-old facility, known as the Municipool, open for another season in spite of Logan City's estimated $1 million-plus budget deficit and another $1 million needed from the city's reserve fund.

Using information gleaned from a subsequent feasibility study, Thompson estimated that the pool would operate at a $110,000 deficit in 2005-06.

"With our current debt structure, the administration simply cannot recommend bonding for the Municipool, or frankly for much else, for several years - until we get some of that paid off," Thompson said.

Richard Anderson, Logan director of finance, urged the City Council keep an open mind about the opportunity to bond for indoor-pool finances.

"I think you should find out what the citizens want, find out if this is their priority and then act upon that," he said.

One of those citizens, Russell Price, a member of the Logan Parks and Recreation Board, said he was disappointed that citizen input was not taken into account before the decision to close the pool was announced.

"It's disheartening," he said. "What park makes money? What fire station makes money? The city is expected to provide services. It's not a revenue generator and so there shouldn't be an expectation that a pool, among all the things the city does, would make money. How many things are we going to have to close before the citizens finally notice?"

Thompson's recommendation came as he presented his $93.9 million 2005-06 proposed budget - up from the current $89.7 million. He described the document as a "conservative and solid" attempt to do what is best for the city. Many departments will operate with fewer dollars than they have in the past, he said before requesting a 2 percent performance increase for city employees.

"We are also proposing a modest property tax increase," he said.

Logan residents will be asked to pay 1.32 percent more - or $1.09 a month - to generate an additional $200,000 for the city's budget. For a home valued at $150,000, Logan residents would pay a total of $89.86 annually, compared to the current certified tax rate of $76.81.

ajbrunson@comcast.net