Residents urge city to restore CC Augustus pool as a deeper community pool and center; council says funding, plans not finalized

Several residents used the citizens hearing to press the Tupelo City Council to restore the CC Augustus pool as a deeper, fully usable facility and to fund community programming.

Steve Stley, who identified his address in West Tupelo, said he wants "W 4 to get the proper funding" so CC Augustus can serve the entire community rather than relying on privately funded facilities. He told the council the Aquatic Center is restrictive and privately funded, and asked that tax dollars be directed toward public access that benefits more residents.

Bonnie Bear said the city should "go all in" and provide a pool and community center that serves children ages 10 and up. "I don't think that a small two-foot pool is sufficient," she said, arguing that adolescents need deeper facilities and year-round programming.

Charles Moore asked whether funding for CC Augustus would be separate from the bond issue and whether the previously discussed $2 million estimate had been allotted. Council members and staff responded that no final plan or funding allocation has been determined and that feasibility details remain under discussion.

At the meeting, the council did not take a formal vote on the pool; public comments were heard and council members indicated decisions will follow further internal discussion and plans tied to bond or budget actions.

A related procedural note: a council motion to suspend the rules to allow an additional speaker was offered but failed, illustrating the council's adherence to resident-signer rules for public comment.