SNOHOMISH — Numbers missing from school board meeting minutes led state auditors to question the rates charged to drop-in guests at the Snohomish Aquatic Center.
The school board in August approved the first fee increases at the center since it opened in January 2014. But the exact numbers they approved were not included in the meeting minutes, which raised concerns from auditors, according to a May 24 management letter.
The district’s director of operations brought a proposal to the school board for new rates last summer. The board decided in August to make some changes before finalizing the fees. However, the final fees were not included in the meeting minutes. Auditors found that what was being charged at the aquatic center did not match numbers on record. Some rates were 25 cents to $1 higher than what it appeared the board had approved in the past.
The school board has since confirmed that the current rates, which took effect in September, are indeed the ones they approved.
“It was a documentation issue in our school board meeting minutes and we are working to correct that for the future,” district spokeswoman Kristin Foley said.
Among the fee changes were an increase from $5.50 to $6 for adult drop-ins and a new flat rate of $5 for ages 2 to 18, which ended a 50-cent discount for children 6 and under. Family passes went from $17 to $20.
The board plans to review rates on an as-needed basis, Foley said.
The aquatic center brought in more than $1.7 million during the 2015-16 fiscal year. It cost nearly $1.9 million to run. The district subsidized about $160,000. Nearly 63,600 drop-in visitors were recorded at the center in that time.
Auditors noted that the district did not have formal procedures to track inventory and catch errors. Multiple employees can adjust inventory, but there’s no independent review. The aquatic center has about $18,800 in merchandise in its inventory, such as towels, goggles and swimsuits.
The school board also did not formally authorize the center’s petty cash fund, auditors wrote. Some spending lacked proper documentation, and the fund was not replenished on a regular basis as required by district rules.
Problems have been or soon will be fixed, Foley said.
“We’re working hard with all of our staff to tighten up where there are gaps,” she said.
The aquatic center also is gearing up for big events. A professional Flowrider competition that tours nationally is coming back to the Snohomish surf simulator for the second year in July. Also returning are Olympic swimmers who offer instruction to guests. The local nonprofit Swim for Life plans to continue providing free swim lessons to second-graders, as well.
The 52,000-square-foot aquatic center includes competition and recreation pools, a dive area, hot tub, lazy river, water slide and surfing simulator. It opened in 2014 after seven years of work by advocates.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
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