The SFTR Budget Committee met at 8:00am on January 20, 2001 at Century Small Business Solutions, 109 W. Main Street, Trinidad. Present were Bill Bumstead, Jim Davis, Michael Hughes, Carol Rawle, Bill Wenstrom, and Harriet Vaugeois. Absent were Rick Johnson, Robert Walton, and Paul Miner. The Committee next meets on March 17 at the same time and place. (See Meeting Schedule, SFTR Website, for meeting schedule updates.)
Budget Matters
Bill Quigley reviewed cash spending for 2000. The POA spent $163,546.03 which is $9,121.03 more than budgeted for the year. Off-setting the budget overrun was total income of $168,588.50 or $11,993.50 more than expected. This resulted largely from dues income from improved lots and bank interest exceeding projections for the year. After calculating depreciation expense, any resulting budget surplus will by transferred to the “Reserve” fund.
The Budget Committee seeks to reduce administrative expenses during 2001. This includes extraneous postal mailings. Accordingly, as of January, 2001, regular financial reports will be mailed only to those who call Bill Quigley’s office, 719-846-2080 or e-mail (cris@centurysolutions.org ), and specifically request them. In addition, unless other information is also specifically requested, the monthly financial report to members will consist only of the Year to Date Cash Spending versus Budget Report. Finally, the committee appreciates anyone’s request to receive reports by e-mail instead of postal mail.
Harriet Vaugeois presented the POA General Appearance Subcommittee’s cost proposal for repainting the guard shack and installing new “No Outlet” and entrance signage. The proposal is also available on the Website. Because committee members will donate labor, cost is limited to materials and estimated to be about $300.00.
The POA Board agreed, at its December, 2000 meeting, to loan the SFTR Metro District up to $12,000. The loan will be secured by a promissory note and allows Metro to proceed with repairs and needed water system additions while pursuing reimbursement from its engineer and contractor. To-date, Metro has not requested transfer of any of the funds.
The Committee reviewed and made necessary minor reallocations to the 2001 budget that projects total income and expense approximately equal to that of 2000. The budget will be republished as part of the January Cash Spending Report.
Other
At the December, 2000 POA Board meeting, Mr. Todd Nathan recommended that the POA apply to the Federal Communications Commission for a Low Power FM (LPFM) Radio Station license. LPFM is a new class of non-commercial, community-based FM radio. LPFM will be licensed only to government or private educational organizations, groups like churches and community clubs, and organizations providing local public safety or transportation services.
License applications for proposed LPFM stations in Colorado will be accepted at no direct cost to the POA by the FCC only between January 16, 2001 and January 22, 2001, for an eight year, renewable term. There may be benefit to the POA membership in being able to receive by real-time radio such emergency information as weather conditions, fire danger, road wash-outs, snow removal, and other matters of routine community interest. Since the January 16-22 window closes soon and might not reopen for years, the Committee agreed to submit an application subject to future discussion of the costs and benefits of actually constructing and operating a LPFM radio station.