Park District shows $100,000 surplus
BY JIM BUTTS
SVN REPORTER
jbutts@svnmail.com
STERLING - In the coming weeks, the Park District Board of Commissioners will begin to build next year's budget on solid ground, thanks to a record fund balance of $750,000.
"Our fund balance is higher now than it's ever been," Executive Director Larry Schuldt said Monday.
In fact, the district ended this year with a $100,000 budget surplus, buoyed by income from fees and utility savings, Schuldt said.
About $200,000 of the $750,000 is earmarked for upcoming projects this fiscal year, which began May 1, leaving about $500,000 on hand in case of emergencies, such as a delay in receiving tax funds from the state.
Park District staff are in the final stages of putting together a budget for this fiscal year, and Monday commissioners scheduled a special budget workshop meeting for 5:30 p.m. June 12 to examine the proposed budget, with staff on hand to explain expenses, Schuldt said. No action will be taken.
At the board's June 17 meeting, though, the budget will be approved on a tentative basis, then go on public display for 30 days. Before the July 22 meeting, commissioners will hold a hearing seeking public comment on the budget, which, if there are no problems, will be accepted the following week, Schuldt said.
Also Monday, new Commissioner Jeff Hippen was sworn in, and farewells were made to outgoing Commissioner Jim Prescott. The new board then re-elected Commissioners Tom Potter as president and Marvin Reyes as vice president and appointed Commissioner Dave Stutzke as treasurer and Schuldt as secretary.
Reach Jim Butts at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.
