Yuma Voters Approve Sales Tax, New Community Pool Planned for Cool Acres
Unofficial results from the November 4 mail in election show Yuma voters approved a temporary 0.75 percent sales tax to build, equip and operate a new community swimming pool at Cool Acres. The decision matters for local residents because the pool promises a public health resource for heat relief, youth programs and water safety, while the sales tax will remain in effect through January 1, 2042.
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Unofficial election results released after the November 4 mail in vote show strong community support for a new public swimming pool in Yuma. Of 799 votes cast on the pool measure, 59 percent were in favor, with the tally at 471 to 328. The measure authorizes a temporary 0.75 percent sales tax that goes into effect January 1, 2026, and is anticipated to sunset on January 1, 2042.
City officials and community organizers have identified the Cool Acres site, formerly Yuma City Park, as the location for the new facility. If permitting and construction proceed on schedule, city documents indicate the pool could open to swimmers in early summer 2027. Funding from the sales tax is designated for construction, equipment and operations, providing an ongoing revenue stream while the tax is in force.
Public health experts and local advocates say a new pool could yield measurable benefits in a desert community where extreme heat is a daily concern for much of the year. Access to a public aquatic facility can reduce heat related illness by offering a safe way to cool off, and it supports physical activity that helps prevent chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. For families without private pools, a public pool also creates opportunities for affordable recreation, swim lessons and water safety training that can lower the risk of drowning.
At the same time, the funding mechanism raises equity questions that will require attention during planning. A sales tax is broadly applied at the point of purchase, which can be regressive in its impact on lower income households that spend a greater share of income on taxable goods. Advocates for equity will likely press the city to set low cost entry fees, sliding scale programs and targeted outreach to ensure that the new pool is accessible to residents with the greatest need.
The election delivered other clear messages. Voters soundly rejected a proposed City Charter amendment that would have shifted authority and supervision of the police chief and the Yuma Police Department from the city council to the city manager. That measure was defeated by roughly 69 percent of voters, with an unofficial count of 241 to 523. The result signals strong public sentiment about how residents prefer oversight of local law enforcement to be structured.
Local government leadership also saw a close race for three city council seats, with Mike Aagesen leading as of late Tuesday night with 542 votes. Final tallies and any necessary canvassing will determine official outcomes.
As planning for the Cool Acres pool advances, residents and policymakers will face decisions about programming, pricing, transportation access and workforce development. Those choices will shape who benefits from the new facility and how it contributes to the citys public health, community cohesion and long term equity.
