The Lebanon Aquatic District touched on financial matters during its April 20 meeting.
The board approved a resolution dissolving the Swim Club fund in order to simplify budgeting.
Executive Director Jill Smith said she’d like to dissolve the Swim Club fund in the budget and move it all into the General Fund.
“It’s not going to change anything in the Swim Club, but it will just be easier for the accountant to allocate things,” Smith said.
The resolution dissolving the fund states it was originally formed “for the purpose of supporting the Lebanon Community Swim Club,” and “the Board of Directors has determined that the purpose of the fund has been fulfilled, is no longer necessary, or is otherwise no longer aligned with the operational or financial means of the district.”
Concerning renovation plans, Board Chair Kim Kendall said, “The school money has disappeared and we won’t be able to use that for the renovation, so we’re looking for alternative funding sources.”
Board member Darla Bulmer said they had made a request for quotes from subcontractors, and so far the school has received a quote for repair of the drain. She expects to be able to talk more about it at the next meeting.
Board member Jereme Guenther told the board they have historically saved about $50,000 a year for savings.
“That is way too little,” he said. “We need, at bare minimum, $100,000 a year if we’re gonna be doing our repairs budgets.”
He believes they could get that savings up to as much as $140,000 a year after a loan is paid off, he said. Even after immediate-need repairs or renovations are done, it’s still a number he wants to see continually saved.
“We need to be saving this money year over year for 10 years to reach a large pool of money for the next big bill,” Guenther said.
Bulmer noted the district currently budgets approximately $35,000 a year for maintenance – separate from renovation savings – which should continue to be sufficient once they are out of older equipment.
“Our problem has been we can never get away from the Band-Aids and the fixes and the delays,” she said.
Guenther reiterated the $100,000-$140,000 needs to be saved, and not spent, “or we’re going to go under.”
In other business:
- Smith reported the swim lesson spots are full. Staff are considering holding a “swim clinic” day for all skill levels during summer.
- Smith reported a handicap chair was installed in the girls locker room, and other minor repairs have been made.
- The board held discussions with Matt Reed, of PEAK internet, regarding the possibility of signing up for their Internet and phone services, and sponsorship.
- Guenther reported the payroll has not decreased, despite losing a roughly full-time position, so he will look deeper into why that is the case.
- Robert Waterhouse, of Friends of Lebanon Pool, gave an update on the Splash for Cash fundraiser. The board clarified the need to be careful that pool staff do not get involved in asking for donations, for legal reasons. Also, Kendall asked for clarification on the purpose of the funds raised, as she read in one place it was for renovation projects, but the fliers list specific purchases. Waterhouse said that in addition to the renovation project, they are looking into ways to encourage more pool users, which might include buying swim passes or offering scholarships.
- Kendall reported Terry Cadigan will replace Susan Williamson on the Budget Committee.