2018
PRO GR E S S R EPORT
revitalization
The
of Jekyll Island continues.
Our millions of guests may not see it when they stroll down our pristine beaches or marvel at our historic landmarks and thriving wildlife, but behind every one of those moments is an
incredible team unforgettable.
of people who are
committed to making guest experiences not only possible but also
The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) is proud to be
stewards
of Georgia’s beautiful island,
creating authentic connections with visitors, promoting growth opportunities, and carefully retaining the
character
that makes
Jekyll Island such a timeless treasure.
Mike Hodges • Chairman of the Board of Directors Dear Friends, If 2017 was a year of resilience, given the challenges of Hurricane Irma, 2018 was a year of unprecedented bounce back! Although our friends to the south and southwest GA felt the brunt of Hurricane Michael, we were fortunate to avoid the impact of hurricane season this year. Not only did we see the triumphant return of the incredibly popular Shrimp & Grits Festival, but we also made great strides and achieved impressive results in virtually all of our departments. We look forward to sharing some of the highlights with you in this year’s progress report. As noteworthy as 2018 has been, 2019 promises to be just as remarkable, if not more so. In April, we will be opening Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum. This reimagined museum will feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and more than 24,000 artifacts. In closing, I want to thank our team for all that they do to make Jekyll Island the outstanding destination it has become. Here’s to another year of incredible success.
Jones Hooks • Executive Director, Jekyll Island Authority Dear Friends, These are the moments when we look back and celebrate a tremendous year, and 2018 certainly was a time of significant accomplishment, as you will see in this report. However, I am most impressed by the team we have assembled at JIA—the talent, energy, and variety of backgrounds they bring to the table. I’m amazed at how our team comes together daily to focus their abilities on making Jekyll Island a better place for its visitors, residents, and wildlife. This assessment is also an opportunity to evaluate where we are presently and our strategy for continuing to be good stewards. Part of effective management of Jekyll Island in the future involves analyzing the Carrying Capacity of the island—the number of individuals who can be supported on the Island without negatively impacting it. Effective management strategies, including ongoing improvements to our infrastructure and enhancements to our procedures, are essential to accommodate Jekyll’s increasing popularity. Everything we do is done through the lens of preserving and protecting the character, culture, history, and ecology of Jekyll Island while improving the guest experience. We are thrilled at the progress we’ve made in 2018 and look forward to success in 2019.
JEKYLL ISL AND AUTHORIT Y BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Hodges Chairman of the Board St. Simons Island
Mark Williams Commissioner, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Atlanta
Robert “Bob” W. Krueger Vice Chairman Hawkinsville
Joy Burch-Meeks Screven
Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans Bolingbroke
William “Bill” H. Gross Secretary/Treasurer Kingsland
A.W. “Bill” Jones III Sea Island
Joe Wilkinson St. Simons Island
Hugh “Trip” Tollison Savannah
Jones Hooks Executive Director Jekyll Island
CAPACITY STUDY
We can measure
success
in many ways, and the statistics about Jekyll
Island certainly show that. As the island’s popularity continues to important to note that we always try to
balance we are
soar
, it’s
growth with preservation.
With that in mind, we conducted a Carrying and Capacity Assessment to accurately & thoroughly evaluate where
and where
we’re going
,
and to understand everything from sea level rise to projected populations.
The primary goal of the Carrying and Capacity Assessment was to determine the number of people, vehicles, and development that the island can accommodate while still maintaining its
By
monitoring
unique character
.
this data, we will be able to be proactive; manage visitation
and growth, and address challenges before they become problems. By following the guidelines below, we can ensure that Jekyll Island will continue to be a beautiful and natural place:
limiting preserving encouraging pursuing •
•
•
development and historic assets and
educating improving strengthening enhancing
alternative transportation and
•
financial sustainability and
the public
infrastructure ordinances
conservation efforts
7% INCREASE IN VISITATION In 2018, Jekyll Island experienced an impressive
7% increase
in visitation over the previous year. That underscores not only the increasing
popularity
of the island, but also
our need to preserve Jekyll’s character and its resources. Future
enhancements, pricing,
including an updated gate system to understand how
long visitors are on the island, as well as considerations of
2.9 M
3.2 M
3.4 M
will allow us to properly
3.5 M
manage
dynamic
visitation.
3.7 M
Jekyll Island has experienced a
28.6%
increase in visitation
over the last 5 years.*
*This data is based on the number of cars through the entry gate using a standard multiplier of 2.5 people per car.
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
HOTEL & RESIDENTIAL GROWTH Home2 Suites Scheduled to open
summer o f 2019 ,
the new Hilton Home2 Suites on Jekyll Island is located in the heart of the island. The new three-story hotel will feature
107
guest rooms, and will offer a
new price point for island guests.
Ocean Oaks Ocean Oaks at Jekyll Island is an intimate beachside community of
33
single-family homes and
three
duplex homes. Situated on nine tree-
shaded acres, the beach is only a short walk along a meandering boardwalk through a protected maritime forest.
The Cottages The Cottages is a new oceanfront residential community featuring
122
townhouse-style cottages, a clubhouse, and an oceanfront pool. All units at Ocean Oaks and The Cottages developments are sold.
MOSAIC, THE JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM
reimagined past present, history
In Spring 2019, the completely
Mosaic, the Jekyll
Island Museum will be unveiled. This museum, will be a unique fusion of
and
ecology preserved
as well as
and
. The original structure—including the outer shell,
vaulted barn ceilings, hay loft, and working horse stall—are carefully
and seamlessly integrated with modern,
interactive exhibits and experiences. The project is the epitome of a team effort, combining the
impressive interactive
fundraising efforts of the
Jekyll Island Foundation with the execution of the plan by JIA. The museum now features a variety of
exhibits with
dynamic video and audio alongside traditional displays. Mosaic is entertaining, informative, engaging, and impressive, but most of all, it’s the
very best
of Jekyll Island all in one place.
WANDERER MEMORY TRAIL The Wanderer Memory Trail is a new educational
experience
on Jekyll Island that tells the story of America’s last known slave ship, the
wanderer
. The trail
is located along the banks of the Jekyll River (St. Andrews Beach Park) where the ship illegally came ashore 160 years ago with more than 500 enslaved Africans. The self-guided
trail
walks visitors
through the story of Umwalla, a young African boy brought to America on the ship. Visitors of all ages will follow Umwalla’s journey from capture through
freedom,
told through interactive exhibits along the trail.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Jekyll Island’s first major
solar energy
installation began construction in 2018 and will be complete in early 2019. This facility occupies 4 acres of a retired, capped landfill in the interior of the island. The generated
electricity
will be connected to the
Georgia Power distribution grid. While the
energy
generated does not directly tie to any particular buildings, on an annual basis, it will be equivalent to the powerdemand of at least
113 jekyll homes.
The project will also be pollinator-friendly, a
conservation
initiative that goes beyond industry
standard practices. This innovative public-private
partnership is a huge stride toward advancing our
sustainability
portfolio. We are proud to host the
largest solar-power array on state-owned land in Georgia and the largest on a Georgia barrier island.
NEW PARKS & ENHANCEMENTS Corsair Beach Park The new
corsair beach park,
located between the
Jekyll Ocean Club and Days Inn & Suites, was officially opened on January 15, 2019. The $1.2 million park serves as the southern boundary for the Beach Village. The new park includes an ADA accessible bathhouse with restrooms and changing areas, two picnic pavilions, outdoor showers, landscaping,
123
enhanced
additional public parking spaces for
the area, and an ADA accessible beach crossover.
Oceanview Beach Park Situated mid-island,
oceanview beach park stunning
has
views of the Atlantic
Ocean and quick access
to the sand. It’s equipped with ample parking, public beach access, restrooms, and showers. Construction for this new beach park will be completed by
spring o f 2019
.
BEACH REVETMENT REHABILITATION We’re continuing to spend a significant amount of time and resources
protecting
our shoreline,
restoring
the dunes
and native vegetation, and increasing the number of crossovers. In 2018, we completed the first phase of the north end revetment project, restoring over
9,000
linear feet of granite rock revetment to its original
design. Our repair work utilized substantially larger boulders and was extensively vetted by our consulting engineers who specialize in coastal rehabilitation. Phase 1 of the project closes with a completely
rebuilt
structure extending from the
southern end of Driftwood Beach southward all the way to King Avenue. Phase 2 will be completed in 2019 and will include backfilling sand behind the new revetment rock and planting vegetation to stabilize the new sand. Additional state funds have been allocated to build new
beach accesses
over the revetment.
We are confident that as we enter the next phase of this project in 2019, Jekyll will have a more
resilient
shoreline protection
system in place along its unique beachfront.
CONVENTION CENTER REVENUE & ATTENDEES
ocean front growing 124,197 exceeding
As the only
convention center
in the Southeast, the Jekyll Island Convention Center is instrumental in
our off-season capacity.
In 2018, the Convention Center hosted more than
convention attendees
which resulted in $4,347,966.78 in revenue, budget expectations by
20%
RETAIL SALES Our Retail Sales Division continues to set
records
new
, producing
$2,571,311.10 in total sales,
4.11% enhancing
an increase of
over
2017. This success is essential to
the shops in
the future and supporting key initiatives such as Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum, and the
li fe-saving
efforts of
the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
17
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRESS
people beloved
We are proud of the Jekyll Island the
who have dedicated their careers to making destination that it is. This year, in addition
to updating you on the latest successes for Jekyll Island, we are thrilled to introduce some of the people who make it all
possible
. You’ll
learn about their areas of expertise, their educational and professional backgrounds, and most of all, their
passion
for Jekyll Island.
Joseph Colbert WILDLIFE MANAGER The desire to serve others and to protect life is nothing new for Joseph Colbert. Everything from his experience as a U.S. Marine, which began at the age of 19, to his impressive educational accomplishments help him excel in his role as Wildlife Manager every day. Although Joseph became our first Wildlife Manager in 2016, his relationship with Jekyll Island began in 2011 as an AmeriCorps member with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. His love for research and working with wildlife has only grown since then, especially now that he can lead initiatives and put all of his expertise to work through a variety of programs. Joseph likes to focus on the 4 P’s: priority species, predators, plants, and problem species. One of the highlights of 2018 was his department’s increased research of engagement with predators. By better understanding the predators in our area, including rattlesnakes, alligators, and bobcats, we can remove the mystery or “fear of the unknown” that often surrounds these animals—a crucial step in finding balance between wildlife and humankind. Looking ahead, Joseph is excited to see the construction of a pollinator-friendly solar farm on the site of an old landfill that once stood off of Old Plantation Road. Acre by acre, creature by creature, JIA’s Conservation Team is making a difference, and Joseph has been instrumental in its success.
Taylor Davis HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST Perhaps no one understands the significance of ensuring that future generations can enjoy our island’s historical treasures more than Taylor Davis, Historic Preservationist. Every aspect of his background, from studying historic preservation at the University of Georgia, to serving as Chair of the Historic Brunswick Foundation, has been like cobblestones on a pathway leading him to the JIA. However, it was his experience working as an intern in our Historic Preservation Department in 2004 that first opened his eyes to the possibilities on the island. This past year saw many developments, including a floor renovation at Faith Chapel to restore it to its original appearance, and new roofing for Mistletoe and DuBignon cottages. Perhaps closest to Taylor’s heart is the exterior rehabilitation of Hollybourne Cottage. Stabilization efforts of the 129-yearold structure have occupied much of Taylor’s time in 2018. From securing the building’s gabled walls, to replacing the damaged terra-cotta lintels over the windows, to beginning the process of replacing the cedar roof shingles, Hollybourne’s preservation is an ongoing endeavor. The restoration efforts that Taylor led over the past year have caught the attention of the decedents of the home’s original builder. The Maurice family has recently expressed renewed interest in the ongoing preservation of Hollybourne Cottage. With Taylor’s talent and energy, we know that Jekyll Island’s history is in great hands.
Jim Talab SUPERINTENDENT OF FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE After spending more than three decades with the same company, it took an incredible opportunity to pull Jim Talab away. The Jekyll Island Authority and the beautiful island we love were such an opportunity. That was 10 years ago; since then, Jim has put his deep understanding of electrical work, carpentry, and more to work to keep Jekyll Island and its facilities up-and-running properly. More than that, he and his team are essential to the execution of our most popular events and attractions. Without question, the Shrimp & Grits Festival is the annual highlight for both guests and Jim’s team. The added challenges and demands make the consistent success of our signature event all the more rewarding. Jim’s unmatched expertise, flexibility, and leadership are crucial to delivering the Jekyll Island experience that keeps visitors coming back year after year. From handling upgrades and repairs to planning, setup, and tear down, Jim and the Facilities Maintenance Team may do the work behind the scenes, but they are the most deserving of our gratitude. This May, Jim will be retiring to spend more time with his family. Now, he and his loved ones can relax and enjoy Jekyll Island events together while the team that has learned so much from him takes care of the details. Thank you, Jim!
Nicki Thomas EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER • GSTC Nicki Thomas always knew that she wanted to work with animals; she just didn’t know in what capacity. Should she work for a zoo? Become a veterinarian? While studying at the University of Georgia, Nicki accepted an internship at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) in 2009—a precursor to what would become the perfect fit for both her career path and our growing needs. Before joining our team permanently, Nicki worked in the conservation education field as an interpreter and animal keeper in Alaska and as an outreach specialist and advisor with the University of Georgia. All of these incredible experiences and hands-on learning opportunities served to prepare her for her current role as the GSTC Education Program Manager. Every day, she shares the importance of conservation and environmental awareness through the GSTC, an attraction that thrives on rehabilitation, research, and education. Nicki and her team are doing a tremendous job. In 2018, the GSTC hosted approximately 113,000 visitors. The hope is that these visitors will become ambassadors for Jekyll Island, helping to protect it for future generations.
Aaron Saunders GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT You could say Aaron has been training to become our Golf Course Superintendent since he was 15 years old, hitting the links with his father at the North Shore Golf Club in his hometown of Skegness, England. The Club offered him the opportunity to become an intern. If he agreed to study turf management and became a greenskeeper, they would help him pay for college and let him play golf. It was an obvious, “Yes!” His love of the game and the natural beauty that it is part of it only grew as he earned his degree and a variety of specialty certifications in turf management. Today, Jekyll Island’s wildlife, as well as our year-round stream of golf enthusiasts, benefit from Aaron’s expertise and more than 20 years of experience. Since joining our team in 2016, he has made dramatic improvements to all four of our courses, not only aesthetically, but also environmentally. Jekyll Island Golf Club is one of only three courses nationwide to have at least 54 holes of Auduboncertified cooperative sanctuaries. To no one’s surprise, both Aaron and the courses he manages have been winning plenty of praise and accolades. When you consider the depth of Aaron’s understanding and his unquenchable thirst for playing, preserving, and enhancing the game of golf, it’s obvious that he, Jekyll Island, and its breathtaking golf courses were made for each other.
Financial Results FISCAL YEAR 2018* FY2018*
FY2017*
$
$
VARIANCE (000's)
%
Revenues Administration Business Leases Hotel Tax Tourism Development Fund Parking
4,381,327
4,051,845
329
8%
1,460,446
1,320,565
140
11%
603,569
601,448
3,465,186
3,573,183
(108)
-3% 79%
2
0%
8,676
4,855
4
Lot Rentals
1,020,138
1,018,824
1
0%
Foundation
63,959
69,747
(6)
-8% 70%
Interest
324,843
191,200
134
Beach Village
16,572
-
17
Intern Housing
44,335
104,773
11,389,051
10,936,440
Administration revenue
Total Administration
0%
(60)
-58%
453
4%
Enterprises Golf
2,003,028
2,067,016
(64)
Convention Center
3,892,781
3,563,027
330
9%
McCormick's Grill
252,752
311,695
(59)
-19%
Summer Waves
2,321,267
2,354,145
(33)
-1%
Campground
1,287,953
1,240,215
48
4%
137,798
124,021
14
11%
Life is Good Museum Georgia Sea Turtle Center
759,818
752,689
7
1%
2,013,025
1,781,592
231
13%
14,129
25,868
(12)
-45%
341,244
363,175
(22)
-6%
1,384,606
1,388,487
(4)
0%
526,701
536,336
(10)
-2%
1,025,230
964,783
60
6%
83,914
53,227
31
58% -38%
Conservation Miniature Golf & Bikes Water/Wastewater Sanitation Fire Department
-3%
Tennis Destination Mktg & Special Events
315,816
506,092
(190)
Guest Information Center
138,350
114,247
24
21%
500
3,250
(3)
-85%
Camp Jekyll & Soccer Fields
149,523
115,142
34
30%
Landscaping, Roads & Trails
36,295
69,695
(33)
-48%
Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Maiintenance
4,031
-
4
0%
Facility Maintenance
2,455
1,046
1
135%
-
5,489
(5)
-100%
16,691,216
16,341,238
350
2%
28,080,267
27,277,679
803
3%
Sales
Golf Course Maintenance Total Enterprises Total Revenues
Expenses
FY2018*
FY2017*
$
$
VARIANCE (000's)
%
FY2018*
FY2017*
$
$
VARIANCE (000's)
%
Expenses 12,543,527
11,804,336
739
Supplies & Materials
1,701,863
1,694,142
8
0%
Advertising & Sales
1,301,633
1,007,842
294
29% -11%
Human Resources
6%
Repairs - Facilities & Grounds
1,410,584
1,580,382
(170)
Utilities
1,802,769
1,743,141
60
3%
Insurance
807,092
844,487
(37)
-4%
Contracts
3,236,908
3,044,249
193
6%
Rentals
497,299
370,950
126
34%
Printing
221,940
187,094
35
19%
Motor Vehicle
237,433
222,938
14
7%
Telephone
125,343
123,026
2
2%
Equipment Purchase <$1K
121,926
98,346
24
24%
Equipment Purchase $1K to $5K
91,213
97,278
(6)
-6%
Travel
73,823
73,924
(0)
0%
202,505
196,424
6
3%
267,346
273,139
(6)
-2%
Dues Credit Card Fees Bank Fees Interest Expense Total Expenditures Net Operating Cash Income**
212
308
(0)
-31%
-
41,194
(41)
-100%
24,643,416
23,403,202
1,240
5%
3,436,851
3,874,476
(438)
-11%
BOARD DESIGNATED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS & CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND PROJECTS: Tourism Development Fund
603,569
601,448
Water/Sewer Fund
305,497
400,646
Retail Village principal payment ($1.6M loan) Fire Department equipment fund Beach Village Entertainment Fund - Carryover
-
142,793
182,019
72,090
16,547
-
Hollybourne Lintel Project
180,663
-
Payment to JIF for Mosaic Project
150,000
150,000
1,409,730
1,782,101
2,848,025
3,149,078
Equipment & Projects funded from current year Total Fund Designations, Capital Equipment & Projects Contributions to Cash Reserves
$
588,826
$
725,398
*Financials are unaudited. ** Amounts are on a budget basis format and do not contain depreciation and capital expenses. Capital equipment and projects listed here are amounts funded form current year revenues. These amounts are designated (set aside) from current year funds for specific equipment or projects and if not spent during the current fiscal year, will be spent in subsequent fiscal years, depending on the timeline of the project. The financial information in the self-published Jekyll Island Authority Progress Report contains unaudited figures and is presented in a budget basis format which is used for operational management and oversight (depreciation and capital expenses not included). Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis financials are available by request. Jekyll Island Authority’s financial information is reviewed periodically by the State’s Department of Audits and is included in the State of Georgia’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Financial stewardship is a high priority, and the Jekyll Island Authority has a history of clean audit reports. All financial information contained in this self-published report is believed to be accurate and error-free, but should only be used for informational purposes. The Jekyll Island Authority shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages related to unintentional typographical or other errors, omissions, or inaccuracies of the information contained in this document
JIF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Barbara Mayo “Boog” Candler Chair • Atlanta, GA Hank Linginfelter Immediate Past Chair • Alpharetta, GA Russell C. Jacobs, III Vice Chair • St. Simons Island, GA Gary N. Wadsten Secretary • Myrtle Beach, SC Hollis Linginfelter Treasurer • Atlanta, GA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian D. Anderson, Sr. • Columbus, GA Nancy C. Blackstone-Spiegel • North Point, FL Wendell Dallas • Snellville, GA Kenneth R. Farrell • Savannah, GA Thomas S. Lines • Atlanta, GA Sean McGinnis • Alpharetta, GA Gilbert C. McLemore, Jr. • Jekyll Island, GA Eugene M. “Gene” Rackley IV • Atlanta, GA Daniel D. Ross • Dunwoody, GA JJ Singh • Arlington, VA Ken Wright • Dunwoody, GA Martha Zoller • Gainesville, GA Michael D. Hodges JIA Chair • St. Simons Island, GA C. Jones Hooks Executive Director, JIA • Jekyll Island, GA Dion Davis Executive Director, JIF • Jekyll Island, GA
JIF PARTNERS The AdFish Group Emerald Princess Casino Global Concessions Jekyll Island Authority Jekyll Island Club Resort Jekyll Ocean Club The Westin Jekyll Island
The Jekyll Island Foundation was created in 1999 to
raise money
for projects beyond the Jekyll Island Authority’s (JIA) financial capabilities. Projects allow individuals an opportunity to be more directly involved in conservation, preservation, and education efforts surrounding Jekyll Island’s
natural historic and
resources. The Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF) serves
as the official fundraising entity of Jekyll Island State Park and the JIA.
In 2018, the Foundation experienced significant advances toward fulfilling its
mission
. Funds were secured for the revitalization and repurposing of
the historic 1898 Club Stables into Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum.
JIF also funded Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) future planning sessions, operational support, and
research
on native diamondback terrapins, snakes,
birds, alligators, and bobcats. Through the efforts of generous donors, JIF purchased a new $60,000 digital x-ray unit for GSTC veterinarians to use in the rehabilitation of injured and ill wildlife. The user-friendly machine features advanced technology, superior resolution, and greater storage capability. Donations also helped to defray architectural and engineering costs involved in the
structural restoration
and
conservation of the island’s historic Hollybourne Cottage.
Managed by an independent board, JIF’s leadership represents
diverse interests
and communities from across the state of
Georgia and beyond. Financials are audited by Hancock Askew & Co., LLP. To view audited financial statements, or to donate, visit jekyllislandfoundation.org.