by Jan Ek
Financial Report:
Wow it seems as if 2014 just ended, and we are already almost to the end of February! Time does fly when you are having fun! We have ended January well within our operating and capital budget. The rainy and cold weather always wreaks havoc with our golf revenue, and therefore our food service revenue as well. We ended January $44k under budget in revenue in our golf division, carrying to the bottom line a $49k negative variance from budget. All other divisions, including food service, have completed January 2015 with a positive variance from budget in net operating excess.
Cardholder Services:
Payments on past due assessments bounced back in January and were greater than the monthly average for the first time in 5 months. As a result, past due assessments decreased in January by 3% and offset the increase last month. December billings went past due at a rate of 6.0% and November balances went 60 days past due at a rate of 2.7%.
Total accounts receivable decreased in January with the largest decrease coming in annual property assessments. In January we saw a slight decrease in property transfer related balances and a 12% decrease in lender owned related invoices. Outstanding balances related to property transfers continue to represent 53% of all receivables due and past due balances.
Payments made by Cardholders through the online RCSC Web Portal totaled $51,108 in January. This is the highest monthly total for online payments. The online process is fully integrated with payments made through the web portal being posted to Cardholder accounts immediately. This is a great convenience option for Cardholders and allows for payments to be made outside of our regular office hours.
Trustee sale notices on Sun City properties increased again to 52 properties at the end of January. The number of properties owned by lending institutions decreased in January, however, and is now at 41 properties.
Preservation and Improvement Fees started the year strong as $485,000 was collected in January, which is $233,000 over the amount budgeted. Again a reminder that we intentionally budget PIF income very conservatively to assure that we have the cash on hand for any planned project as we remain debt free.
Bowling:
In 2014 considering the increase in minimum wage and operating expenses the Bowling Division had a very successful year and they have started out 2015 very strong.
League bowling was up $17k in 2014 compared to 2013. We have been contacted by two different leagues that bowl in other valley bowling centers that are interested in moving their leagues to our centers. We are currently in the process of negotiations, if the leagues move to our centers, we could see an increase of approximately $20k in unbudgeted income in 2015.
Human Resources:
As most of us know, the cost of medical care and health insurance continues to rise. Studies show that 50% of the costs are due to lifestyle choices. RCSC has set out this year to affect the rising costs by implementing a program that measures where each employee is health wise now, where they want to go and lifestyle changes they need to make to get there. In November 2014, employees on a voluntary basis participated in health screenings where they were provided numbers on their total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, BMI, blood pressure and blood sugar. Each employee then participated in an online health assessment by entering the information and now have a measurement tool to assist in health improvement. As an incentive for change, participants receive a reduction in their medical premium each month. We are happy to announce that we achieved an 82% participation rate by all full-time employees which is excellent since most non-participants have medical coverage elsewhere making them ineligible for participation in RCSC’s plan.
RCSC is required annually to submit a report to the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding work related injuries. We are told this is a voluntary program; however, participation is mandatory for selected employers chosen from designated industries. We have completed and submitted the 2014 report that contains statistics regarding annual number of employees (373), total hours worked by all employees (499,381) and total number of reportable work related injuries (14). The report requires extensive information regarding each injury and is used to make workplaces safer and healthier.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act’s (OSHA) required form 300A is now posted on all employee bulletin boards throughout RCSC and will remain there through April 30th.
Member Services:
The Annual Membership Meeting, held on the third Saturday in February at the Sundial Auditorium, was fantastic! Filled with information and an inspirational humorist, Suzie Humphreys, who had us laughing for an hour, was again something no Member should miss. The numerous staff made up of the RCSC management team, as has become customary, volunteered their time as they prepared and served free donuts and coffee and hot dog lunch. The door prizes were numerous and continued to get more and more valuable as the list proceeded, with only those present being able to win just following the official annual membership meeting.
Our first show of February, “Country Superstars,” a tribute to Shania Twain and Tim McGraw on Wednesday, February 4, was almost another sell-out crowd. What a show it was! The energy and showmanship on that stage was electrifying!
“The Spouse Whisperer” had us on the edge of our seats with his insight into relationships, dating and marriage. All I can say about it is “Who Knew?”
“Nashville Gold” did it again as they wowed us with everyone’s country favorites. Last year they entertained us at the Sun Bowl before a crowd of approximately 6000. Back by popular demand, they filled the Sundial auditorium and gave us just what we expected…nothing but the best!
If you were able to make it to the special performance on Monday, February 23, you were treated to the outstanding sounds of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West “The Blue Yonder.” A pre-show by the Desert Aires barbershop quartet was a delightful surprise to all in attendance.
And what can we say about last night’s performance? Sharon Owens made us all wonder if Barbra Streisand was on that stage herself. She sang like a song bird, hit every note, talked in her Brooklyn accent and had every mannerism of the mega star. You couldn’t take your eyes off of her. If you missed this show, you really missed a show!
Wow, what a month March is going be! With way too many events to mention them all in any detail, don’t miss Terry Davies tribute to Neil Sedaka, the comedy of Todd Oliver and Friends, the Chicago Experience, the Eagles Tribute, Through the Years with Peter, Paul & Mary, Harmik’s tribute to Tom Jones, Dancing with the Stars, and the Soul Solution. Many of these shows are available free to RCSC Cardholders and their escorted guests, and for the rest, tickets are on sale at the Lakeview Clubs Office at $13 for RCSC Cardholders and $15 for the general public.
General:
For details about upcoming events and entertainment please refer to our newsletter the SunViews, our electronic signs, online at www.suncityaz.org under the Recreation Centers and in our weekly email blast titled “Your Sun City AZ Week.” If you are not receiving the SunViews inside a free edition of the Daily News-Sun in your driveway on the last Thursday each month, please contact the newspaper for delivery, or if you prefer, you can always pick one up at any one of our centers. Also, if you have not done so already, please sign up on the RCSC email list where you can designate topics of interest and stay in the loop with RCSC news alert emails!