Sun City Grand board budgets $18.2 million for 2010

The Sun City Grand Community Association board of directors presented its proposed 2010 budget to residents at Thursday afternoon’s workshop.

Board President John Such said the finance advisory committee reviewed the budget and recommends the board place it on the agenda for approval at the next regular board meeting.

There are some increases from the previous budget, including an assessment fee of 2 percent from $1,040 to $1,061 and an employee merit increase of 2 percent.

This year’s proposed budget is $18.2 million, which is slightly up from last year’s $18 million.

Resident Jim Olmstead said he had some reservations about an employee merit increase because of the economy.

"I’m not sure if we should be giving raises, because other companies are freezing their wages and salaries until things get better," Olmstead said. "It’s uncertain whether we should do this right now and possibly spend money we might need later."

Director Bill Sullivan said the merit increases are necessary, especially because employees didn’t receive raises last year.

"We feel like we have a good group and not to give them raises two years in a row just wouldn’t be right when we froze them the previous year," Sullivan said.

Harvey Noteboom, a resident and former board member, said some money could be cut from the budget, including about $105,000 for palm tree removals from the golf courses.

Though the budget involves some increases, there will be no changes to golf fees or golf fee structures.

"We’re pleased with what in the budget we’ve maintained," Such said. "There haven’t been any major increases considering this economy."