The July 2017 numbers were on the Consent Agenda for the September 20th Council meeting. As usual, this item was not pulled for discussion and made public. According to an email that the mayor sent to a constituent, the reason they do not pull the monthly financials for discussion is because the mayor prefers for the council members to “seek answers to any concerns there may be before the council meeting.”The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t allow the taxpayers to know if the council is working for them or if they’re doing what’s best for their major campaign donors.
I believe that whether good or bad, the numbers should be discussed publicly, so here they are:
The Good News:
July Revenues
In July 2017, Troon revenues (Golf, Tennis, Food/Beverage, Merchandise) were $17,150 higher than in July 2016. Town revenues (daily drop-ins, fitness member dues, swim lessons, facility rental income, concession sales) were $22,687 higher in July 2017 than in July 2016. Add in the sales tax revenues and the total Community Center Fund revenues were $62,689 higher in July 2017 than in July 2016.
July Losses
The Overlook Restaurant lost $7,395 less in July 2017 than they did in July 2016. (July 2016 losses were $17,970. July 2017 losses were $10,575.)
The Bad News:
July Expenditures
In July 2017, Troon expenditures were $24,135 higher than July 2016. Town expenditures were $11,082 higher than July 2016. In total, the Community Center Fund (CCF) lost $54,597 in July 2017, leaving the CCF balance at a negative $94,456. Remember, this is the fund set up to pay for all the Community Center expenses.
Troon lost $6,985 more in July 2017 than they did in July 2016. (July 2016 losses were $235,480. July 2017 losses were $242,465).
Annual Operating Deficit
Troon’s operating deficit for FY 2016/17 was $100,000 higher than the previous year. The Town’s Community Center operating deficit for FY 2016/17 was $112,000 higher than the previous year.
Two Questions for Mayor Hiremath and Councilmember Solomon
The mayor recently stated that the General Fund ended the fiscal year with a $2 million surplus. This was echoed by Councilmember Solomon in a recent letter to the editor. This is indeed a fact, but it raises two questions:
1. Why didn’t the Council spend this money to make the Community Center ADA compliant?
Is it because they don’t want to spend additional General Fund monies to meet the needs of their disabled citizens? Is it because they falsely promised the citizens that the Community Center Fund (funded with the half-cent sales tax increase) would cover all Community Center expenses, including capital improvements?
2. Why didn't the Council spend some of the $2,000,000 surplus to build some ball fields?
Is it because the council would rather request a property tax to meet the desires of the citizens?
