March usually marks the end of the prime months for golf, but with April and May temperatures being cooler than normal (it’s reportedly been 8 degrees cooler than normal), we might actually see better golf revenues this spring than in years past.
What is interesting is that when you compare March 2019 to March 2018, you see that the total revenues were $94,231 higher in 2018, but the expenditures were $434,143 lower in 2019. Your sales tax revenues totaled $1,792,890 in 2019, which is $78,901 more than 2018.
The Bad News
Even though Troon states that they made $30,410 in March 2019, their total losses to date are $209,773 higher than in 2018. Member dues were $15,003 lower in 2019 vs. 2018. Golf revenues were $108,338 less than budgeted and Troon is still forecasting to lose $1,775,622 in fiscal 2018/19.
The Town spent only $4,281 out of a promised $50,950 in Capital outlay.
The number of rounds of non-member play for March was 5,457 (on 45 holes). However, another course within 5 miles had 5,165 rounds on just 18 holes.
Thanks to the very rainy winter, Troon’s utility expenses have lowered.
The Overlook Restaurant actually made $771 in March. Their total losses for the fiscal year (to date) are currently $87,447.
The Town has made $73,467 through their programs (tennis, fitness, recreation). Maybe the Town can start sharing in the utility costs. (For more information on why the Town has paid ZERO in utilities since the Community Center opened in May 2015, please read our January Watchdog Report, under the subheading of “Clever Bookkeeping.”)
All things considered, March 2019 was not a bad month. We will see what the remainder of the year brings and if the Town Council will be able to transfer the Hiremath council’s promised $120,000 annual loan payment back to the General Fund.
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| March Financials - Click to enlarge |
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| Overlook Restaurant March Financials |
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Mike Zinkin has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge. He was a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. He and his wife moved to Oro Valley in 1998. Mike served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009 and the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012. He served on the Town Council from 2012-2016 during which time he was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities University, he was a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development, and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee.
