Board Commentary
2009 has definitely been a challenging year for our community, and many of the outdoor recreational facilities (particularly Magic Waters and the Sportscore Complexes) were financially impacted with an unseasonably cold and wet summer. Yet adversity breeds innovation, and this was also a year that gave us many opportunities to improve services and create further operational efficiencies to respond with flexibility to these rapidly changing conditions.
In the beginning of the year, the Board of Commissioners received a thorough financial analysis along with ten year projections of the financial outlook for District operations. Nine recommendations for reducing expenses or improving revenue sources were made from seven citizen volunteers with extensive professional financial experience who came together as a Financial Advisory Group. Implementation of these recommendations resulted in a savings of $298,000 during this year.
The past year has been particularly growth and development-oriented considering the relative stagnancy of the past several years:
The District is moving forward with cautious optimism, setting realistic goals tempered with financial restraint as we anticipate a $1.6 million budget-to-budget shortfall and make program modifications for 2010 that will likely have an impact on the community.
Sincerely,
Douglas J. Brooks, President
In the beginning of the year, the Board of Commissioners received a thorough financial analysis along with ten year projections of the financial outlook for District operations. Nine recommendations for reducing expenses or improving revenue sources were made from seven citizen volunteers with extensive professional financial experience who came together as a Financial Advisory Group. Implementation of these recommendations resulted in a savings of $298,000 during this year.
The past year has been particularly growth and development-oriented considering the relative stagnancy of the past several years:
- The Highway Five project is completed at Northeast Park to provide Sportscore Two patrons with much greater access
- Southwest Park opened last fall
- Kaye Anderson Park was dedicated this spring
- Elliot Park expansion and development was completed this summer
- Loves Park Playground will soon be redeveloped
- Puri Park was donated to the District and will open next spring
- Burpee Museum
- Discovery Center Museum
- Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
- Midway Village Museum
The District is moving forward with cautious optimism, setting realistic goals tempered with financial restraint as we anticipate a $1.6 million budget-to-budget shortfall and make program modifications for 2010 that will likely have an impact on the community.
Sincerely,
Douglas J. Brooks, President