By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. Placerville, Calif. — April 11, 2025
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has declined a $37,500 funding request from the City of Placerville for its municipal pool, a facility widely used by residents across the county. The decision has drawn criticism from community members who point out the contrast between the rejection and the county’s $3 million investment in Forebay Park renovations in Pollock Pines—including $800,000 for a new ADA-compliant restroom.
City Vows to Keep Pool Afloat
Placerville City Council Member Ryan Carter responded to the funding denial with a message of resilience and community resolve.
“Our community will step up, I have no doubt,” Carter said. “The county has traditionally contributed less than $40,000—it’s not a high bar. We ask for their portion of the costs, based on the percentage of users that live outside the city. We will not let the pool close.”
Residents Question County Priorities
Many Placerville residents echoed Carter’s concern, suggesting the county’s decision favored one community over another. Local administrator Sue Taylor expressed frustration, highlighting the county’s significant investment in Forebay Park while declining what she saw as a modest contribution to a regional resource.
“I can’t believe Turnboo and Parlin just denied helping to fund the city pool,” she said. “Yet no problem spending $800,000 on an ADA restroom and maybe also parking at Forebay Park.”
In defense of the county’s investment, Jackie Adams, a Snowline Little League volunteer and advocate for Forebay Park, emphasized the urgent need for accessible facilities.
“The current restrooms have been condemned for years,” Adams noted. “Seeing as the Pollock Pines community was supposed to get a full-on ADA playground… a bathroom is the least that can be installed to bring the park out of 1960.”
What’s in the Forebay Park Project?
The Forebay Park Improvement Project includes new play structures, a disc golf course, outdoor fitness stations, picnic areas, shared basketball and pickleball courts, and a fenced dog park. The project also promises critical infrastructure updates, including improved parking and a long-awaited restroom facility.
The park has been under county ownership since 2014. In 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to begin major renovations, now slated to start in summer 2025.
Budget Under Scrutiny
The funding conflict arises amid the county’s $1.06 billion budget for fiscal year 2024–25—a 3.7% increase from the prior year. Chief Administrative Officer Tiffany Schmid acknowledged the county’s reliance on one-time revenue sources to balance the budget and cautioned about future sustainability.
A Larger Debate About Equity
As construction plans proceed in Pollock Pines, the city and its residents remain determined to preserve Placerville’s pool. The debate over funding priorities reflects ongoing tensions about equity and resource allocation across El Dorado County.
For more information on the Forebay Park Improvement Project, visit the El Dorado County Parks and Trails page.
