Grand board passes nearly $19 million 2009 budget

The Sun City Grand board of directors passed its 2009 budget Thursday night, a spending plan with a deficit that was described by one official as "the best we could do."

The budget, which comes in at just under $19 million, reflects recommendations made by the board of directors and finance committee, which had a special joint meeting last Friday morning to address issues in the upcoming fiscal year budget.

The budget figures break down to a net revenue of $18,440,000 and total expenses of $18,890,000, resulting in a $450,000 deficit.

The deficit will be covered by funds pulled from the community's retained earnings, which included a $500,000 tax refund from last year, said finance committee chairman Jim Ward.

"The (deficit) money is coming out of retained earnings from prior budget surpluses," Ward said.

Capital expenses are $380,000 and include items such as $100,000 for the replacement of 52 date palms with other landscaping at the Cimarron Center and $25,000 for a central thermostat control.

Accounting Manager David Reber made the adjustments recommended in the joint budget meeting before presenting it to the board on Thursday, he said.

Among the new expenses budgeted are two full-time custodial supervisors and three part-time pool technicians.

The golf fairway enhancement program will cost $560,000 for the first year of the proposed five-year program.

The program will fall under the community's expenses instead of golf operations, Reber said.

"The maintenance of the greenbelt areas benefits all of the residents," Reber said.

Annual assessments rose modestly from $1,000 annually to $1,040 beginning in July 2009, which breaks down to $87 each month instead of $83.

Golf will increase $2 per round beginning Jan. 1, and guest fees for the fitness center will rise from $2 to $3.

Board member Bill Sullivan said the budget process was difficult.

"We aren't totally happy with everything in it," Sullivan said. "But it's the best we could do."

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.