MADRAS, OR -- Jefferson County Commissioners have approved a ballot measure to create a new recreation district for the Madras Aquatic Center.

Following two public hearings, voters will make the final decision in May.

“It's an opportunity for folks to weigh in. And if they are willing to continue supporting the district at the same level they have for the last 12 years, they should consider voting in favor of it. If they don't want to continue supporting the MAC at the level that they have, then they should probably vote against it,” MAC Executive Director Courtney Snead tells KBND News the current taxing district must be dissolved and a new one formed, “There's quite a bit of maintenance that needs to be done in the facility. We are a 17-year-old facility and for many that's not that old, but we have pumps and motors and filters that run 24/7 that have not had the preventative maintenance they should over the years.”

She says that will allow them to combine three taxes into one, taking advantage of current bond revenues to generate $1.6-million FOR funding current operations and needed repairs. “So if there's a no vote, we are in the process of developing the budget for next year and we would probably see a 25 to 50% decrease in our hours at the Madras Aquatic Center, we would have to lay off a good portion of our staff. To me it’s a nuclear scenario if our financial situation doesn’t improve,” she says adding keeping the facility operating at full capacity benefits the local economy, “We've had a lot of positive feedback from folks who are involved in our recreation programs as well as use our swimming pool and just how important this organization and what we do is.”