The City of Buellton City Council on Oct. 25 approved a pledge of $450,000 toward construction of a proposed Buellton Valley Aquatics Complex, and directed staff to continue working with partner jurisdictions and the Aquatics Foundation on further fundraising and implementation steps.

The council’s pledge, moved by Mayor Silva and seconded by Councilmember Hornick, passed on a 4-0 roll call with Vice Mayor Lewis recused from the matter. The approved motion also included a provision that the city would add $50,000 more if the City of Solvang agrees to match Buellton’s increase, and asked staff to return with options for additional funding and program details.

The council and speakers framed the pledge as an effort to demonstrate local “skin in the game” and to help leverage private donations, foundation grants and other public funds. “This financial commitment … is another signal to your residents and the community that you are invested in water safety, learn-to-swim and recreation,” Lisa Palmer of the aquatics effort told the council during public comment.

City Manager Scott Wolf outlined the project background: the plan calls for a two-pool complex on the high school campus — a warmer community pool for instruction and senior recreation and a second pool to supplement the existing high school pool for competition and community use. The Aquatics Foundation and partnering jurisdictions have acquired at least one pool structure and still must raise funds for site work, rehabbing the existing pool and other required infrastructure. Wolf said the current fundraising target is “north of $13,000,000.”

Several speakers urged council support, including long-time resident Judith Dale, who said swim instruction would be a public-safety benefit, and Randy Murphy, Solvang’s city manager, who described Solvang’s earlier pledge and urged Buellton to act in concert with neighboring jurisdictions. “If you add $450,000 from Solvang, $450,000 from Buellton and tribal or county commitments, that’s a significant portion of the project,” Murphy said.

Councilmembers discussed conditions included in Solvang’s pledge and asked staff to mirror those conditions for Buellton’s contribution. Those conditions tie release of pledged funds to project milestones and require that non-city funding be raised to a level that supports groundbreaking; the city’s staff report recommended the same approach. Council also asked that Buellton’s role in programming the community portion of the facility be written into future agreements.

The council gave staff direction to coordinate with Solvang, the school district and the Aquatics Foundation and to return with more detailed budget and operating options and, if appropriate, proposals that would incentivize additional fundraising (for example, phased disbursements tied to fundraising thresholds). Councilmembers said they wanted to balance a visible local commitment with careful financial planning.

The vote: Mayor Silva — aye; Councilmember Hornick — aye; Councilmember Mead — aye; Councilmember Sanchez — aye. Vice Mayor Lewis recused. The motion includes a sunset/conditioning provision that would require the Aquatics Foundation to reach agreed fundraising milestones by June 30, 2028, before the city’s pledge would be released, consistent with the timeline discussed in the staff report.

Looking ahead, staff said the work now is to finalize the memorandum-of-intent-level framework among the school district, cities and foundation, continue private and foundation fundraising, and return to the council with recommended budget entries and any further required council action.