Highlights of the SROA Board of Directors monthly meeting

The Sunriver Owners Association (SROA) Board of Directors meeting was held Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Board members present: Gerhard Beenen, Bill Burke, Keith Mobley, Scott Gillies, Clark Pederson, Tony De Alicante, Julianna Hayes, Linda Beard and Larry Ishmael.

Staff present: James Lewis, Susan Berger, Jesus Mendoza.

Owners forum summaries

From June 14 work session

• Randy Schneider spoke about the need for a dog park in Sunriver.

• Chuck Swenson noted that the early morning pickup at the recycling center by Cascade Disposal (especially prior to 5 a.m.) is unacceptable. He also noted that people are dumping glass prior to the center’s posted opening hour of 8 a.m.

• Kevin Baker was upset about being approached by a board member at Mary McCallum Park for parking on the paved pathway and being accused of launching watercraft at the park.

• Gwen Gamble noted the integrity of the candidate election has been damaged due to a biased email promoting one of the candidates.

• Paul Conte brought several concerns to the board including cheatgrass, dog screens, plant protections and requested minutes from meetings of the Design Manual Task Force.

• A letter was read into record from Daniel Kozie in support of protective plant enclosures.

From June 15 regular meeting

• Gunnevi Humphries wants the board to dismiss a $125 fine received from the magistrate.

• Paul Conte noted a board member made false claims about his property during the Friday work session.

• Carol Barrett has concerns over increased aircraft noise and the times planes are allowed to land and/or takeoff at the airport.

• Debbie Wightman asked about the parameters for ponderosa removal when it encroaches/damages a home. She also noted an increase of prohibited ebikes on the pathways and whether property managers educate their guests about the rule.

• Scott Hartung, as the previ-

SROA Financial Report

ous airport manager, updated the board on improvements and projects taking place at the Sunriver Airport. He also credited the board for their work handling the complexity of SROA business.

• Read a letter into record by Sarah Dulak about the egregious email promoting a single board candidate and that the election is now disingenuous.

Board actions

• Approved minutes of the June 16 SROA board work session as corrected.

• Approved minutes of the June 17 SROA regular board meeting as written.

• Approved June 2023 financial statement (unaudited).

• Approved transfer of $524,113.56 from the regular Reserve Fund and $276,912.03 from the SHARC Reserves to the Operating Fund for the

By Clark Pederson

On June 30, we completed the first half of the year, so how do SROA finances look at midyear? I am pleased to report our finances are in good shape.

In our day-to-day operating account, revenues year-todate are ahead of budget by $93,000. This is largely due to the higher than anticipated interest income on the shortterm US Treasury investments and money market funds, where we keep cash invested until needed.

Sales of Member Preference Program and Recreation Plus Program, are 81.1% and 99.3% of our budget forecast. We expect those percentages to continue to climb in the next few months ending close to the yearly budgeted revenue.

Expenses in our operating account are under budget by $257,000. More than half of this is due to unfilled staff positions during the first half of the year. Several key staff positions were filled during the quarter. Hiring included an IT director, aquatics supervisor and event manager. The accumulated savings we have in staff will likely hold through the year and continue to be a positive contributor to our financial performance versus budget.

2023 second quarter acquisitions.

• Approved 2022 year-end transfer of $582,992 from the Operating Fund to the Reserve Fund.

• Approved a 99-year ground lease for $40,000 per annum and sale of the Sunriver Fire Station for $1 to the Sunriver Service District to facilitate the construction and operation of a public safety facility to house Sunriver Fire and Police departments. Further moved the SROA board president be authorized to sign all documents on behalf of SROA.

• Approved Resolution 2023002 recommending to the Deschutes County Commissioners that Denney Kelley be appointed to Position 5 of the Sunriver Service District Managing Board for a term of service beginning Sept. 1, 2023

Another contributor to cost savings was the change in strategy for our August concert from a well-known musical artist at a large cost and large expense to an up-and-coming artist at a more modest cost and modest revenue. Be sure to check out our artist, Jobe Fortner. A last area of spending under budget was the last receipt of several utility bills which were paid after the June 30 closing of the books.

On the non-operating side, revenues were also ahead of budget by $183,000. Like the operating side, income from investments was a major contributor here.

Another major contributor was our receipt of a $74,000 grant from Visit Central Oregon for an update to the pathway map kiosks throughout Sunriver. Our staff did an excellent job preparing the grant application and Visit Central Oregon chose our project to include in their awards for funding. Part of this funding came from Transient Room Taxes to which Sunriver rental homes are large contributors. Watch