PORT TOWNSEND — City officials are floating the idea of raising Port Townsend public pool user fees after Port Townsend School District officials proposed doubling the city’s lease payment.

Raising the lease from $2,500 to $5,000 a month is proposed to offset skyrocketing fuel oil prices.

Fuel oil is used to fire the boiler that heats the less than Olympic-size pool housed on the Mountain View Elementary School campus, 1919 Blaine St.

“That’s about the only alternative we have,” said City Manager David Timmons, because the city’s general fund is being tapped out for special services such as the library and parks.

“The problem is right now we’re almost five months into the year and I don’t know how to adjust for that without something being done.”

30% increase possible

To offset the rising fuel costs, a pool fee increase upwards of 30 percent is a possibility, said Timmons, who has enlisted city Public Works Director Ken Clow to work out an agreement with Port Townsend School District Business Manager Steve McIntire.

“There is no question about it that if the cost of fuel oil remains, then we will have to pass along the cost to the city,” said McIntire.

“What’s happening right now is this has the potential to inflame the public and we don’t want to do that.”

Some 2,500 swimmers are estimated to use the pool each month.

It could be the second fee increase in less than a year.

The last increase went into effect in July 2005: $3 for city residents and $4 for county residents, who pay more because the Jefferson County no longer contributes to the pool.