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News & Features
From the Idyllwild Town Crier weekly newspaper, 02.04.10 edition.
ICRC seeks budget reserves
By J.P. Crumrine,
Editor
The Idyllwild Community Recreation Council’s (ICRC) recreation budget
for next fiscal year, from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, was the
focus of the most recent County Service Area 36 (Idyllwild) meeting, on
Thursday, Jan. 28.
Recreation Director Bob Lewis presented the budget to a lean CSA
Advisory Committee. With two vacancies, a quorum is 100 percent of the
current board of three.
Attending the meeting from the Riverside County Economic Development
Agency were Bill Brown, the CSA operations manager, who reacted
immediately to ICRC’s request to use some CSA’s reserves to fund its
recreational program next year.
Lewis’ proposed 2010-11 budget was $285,840, 5.1 percent less
than the current year budget total of $301,120. The $15,300 reduction
was centered on personnel benefits such as assistants’ salaries and
health insurance. These personnel expenses were funded at $112,320, a
15.5 percent reduction from the current year.
Nevertheless, the full budget would still consume about $32,000 of the
CSA’s reserves next year. The reserve balance is currently about
$340,000.
One proposed new cost assessed this year will be a $300 monthly
administrative fee for ICRC to manage the contract.
After presenting his summary, Lewis said, “I’m very happy with what
we’ve done. Expenses are down about $15,000. It’s a preliminary budget
but enhances Town Hall programs.”
Nevertheless, Brown pointed to the Riverside County 2010-11 budget,
which has a $70 million deficit. While the Board of Supervisors is
debating actions to address the problem (see story on page 1), one
option that will not be employed is the use of county reserves.
“You have to live within your budget,” Brown advised the CSA committee.
“I can not recommend a budget that uses reserves. I recommend the CSA
fall in line with the county budget and not spend reserves.”
For the past two fiscal years, the CSA has spent about 16,000 per
month. This year the rate has grown to $19,500 monthly, Brown indicated.
CSA Chair Holly Maag and committee colleagues Idyllwild Fire Chief
Steve Kunkle and Idyllwild Water District director Mike Freitas
concurred with Brown and asked Lewis to return to ICRC with a budget in
line with Brown’s recommendation.
On Sunday, ICRC Chair Chris Singer, owner of Silver Pine Lodge and
Creekstone Inn, wrote that the recreation contractor was going to
comply with the CSA committee’s request.
One of the areas that might be vulnerable to further cuts is the Skate
Park. Its operating costs are projected to exceed the park’s revenue by
more than $22,000. Lewis said he would review the weekly use and
consider a compact usage schedule before closing the facility.
In other business, Maag reiterated that 3rd District Supervisor Jeff
Stone was still accepting applications for the two vacancies on the
Advisory Committee. However, she was hoping that interviews and
decisions might be made before the February meeting.
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