by Jan Ek
Financial Report:
While we have operated overall within our budget year-to-date, we have finished the first quarter with one division not meeting budget year-to-date. The golf division, suffering from $149,347 less than budgeted income y-t-d, which compares to $124,775 less income than last year for the same period, has ended the first quarter with a bottom line before depreciation of $134,008 negative variance from budget. While the food service division experienced $11,276 less than budgeted income y-t-d, they have been able to manage their expenses accordingly and have ended the quarter with an overall positive variance from budget of $2,581. The opportunity to cut golf operating expenses in response to less income is very small, as whether or not there are 10 golfers or 200 golfers playing golf today, the cost to operate the pro shop and golf course remain fairly consistent. With that being said, the entire $149,347 deficit in income was not brought to the bottom line in golf which means that management made adjustments to operating expenses wherever possible, reducing the net effect to the bottom line by $15,339.
Bowling Centers:
Contracts have been signed to upgrade both RCSC bowling center’s back office software at a cost of $23k. The software upgrade is necessary in order for the bowling centers to be Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant when accepting credit cards and debit cards for payment. PCI compliance is necessary to ensure that all data transmitted and stored is secure. The upgrade will be performed late in May or early June by the Brunswick Corporation.
Bowling pins usually have a life of sixteen to eighteen months; the bowling pins currently in use at both centers have nearly reached the end of their life and are scheduled to be replaced in late July.
Cardholder Services:
Payments made by property owners in outside collections totaled just $2,686 in March with payments received from 8 property owners. While the collections payments were lower in March due to the boarding and notifications process, the payments in the pipeline have picked up.
The payments on past due assessments improved slightly in March but were still 13% below the monthly average for the past year. February billings went past due at a rate of 5.7% which is the lowest rate in 18 months, while January balances went over 60 days past due at the average rate of 4.6%. At the end of March, outstanding balances related to property transfers increased by 2.8% but represent a lower percentage of account receivables. This is due to the significant increase in March billings which is the largest monthly amount for the year.
For the first quarter, Cardholder Services has printed new cards for 9,913 cardholders. This compared to 1,358 for the same time period last year. As reported last month this increase is expected but significant nonetheless.
Trustee sale notices on Sun City properties went down to 76 for the end of March. The number of properties owned by lending institutions remained steady at 80 during this month. These figures continue to be lower than last year and are most likely affected by the increase in property sales we are continuing to experience this year.
The Preservation and Improvement Fees collected in March were $585,000 with the resale activity continuing to increase this year. Year to date PIF fees collected are $1,626,000.
Human Resources:
We are organizing a training session, Interviewing and Selection: Successful and Legal Practices, to be presented in early May to RCSC Managers and Supervisors who have hiring responsibilities. The presentation will include laws and guidelines that affect interviewing and assist in the selection process.
Managers and Supervisors need to be aware of the many and various employment laws and related court decisions which impact the Corporation. As laws and compliance requirements change or new ones are created, it is important to communicate this information. Laws that impact hiring include the Federal Civil Rights Act, The Arizona Civil Rights Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and many others.
Participants in the training session will be provided with a list of lawful and unlawful interview questions that can guide them through the interview process. This will be a great refresher course for those with hiring authority.
We are in the process of reviewing and updating some job descriptions. This is an ongoing process when job responsibilities and/or requirements change not only due to changes in the laws but also for company requirements. A job description is a helpful and necessary tool in the interview and selection process.
Events & Entertainment:
The RCSC Event Volunteers, at the events in the orange vests, are sought after by residents and guests when they need assistance. If you wish to be put on the volunteer list please contact the Clubs office at 623-561-4660, leave your name and phone number and we will add you on the list and contact you as we need more volunteers. Thank you to all who do volunteer, your time is greatly appreciated.
The Farmer’s Market is every Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00pm thru May 23rd at the Bell Center. It will stop for the summer and resume again for the Fall Market on October 17th.
Local farmers and vendors have been selling fruits and vegetables along with a wide variety of culinary treats including cage free eggs, grass-fed meats, locally produced honey, fresh baked goods and dips such as hummus, salsas, jams and jellies.
RCSC clubs have also been selling their wares and are taking advantage of this opportunity to recruit new members. Memo’ Bistro has been open at 7am offering coffee Danish/donuts and breakfast burritos in the morning and then in the afternoon they offer hotdogs, wraps and even BBQ.
This event has been successful and is growing every week. Get out and check it out before the end of May and mark your calendars for its return in the fall!
Upcoming Shows & Entertainment – Bell Center
Come join us on Thursday, July 4th for the 35th Annual Ringing of the Bell Ceremony at 9:00am in Social Halls 1 & 2 (chairs provided). Then follow us to the bowling center where we will have an afternoon indoor picnic with food, beer, free bowling, shuffleboard, billiards, dancing, games, prizes and an afternoon of just plain fun. The picnic will be from 11:00 am – 3:00pm. Come and kick off your Independence Day celebration with your neighbors and friends!
Upcoming Shows & Entertainment – Sundial
The line-up for the upcoming performances for the spring Sundial concerts is sure to please and interest everyone. Final negotiations are being made and the dates and performances will be released soon so you can mark your calendars.
We are also working on the Holiday Celebration and be sure to mark your calendars for the Arts and Crafts Festival November 29th and 30th.
Upcoming Shows & Entertainment – Sun Bowl
We are almost through our spring Sun Bowl shows and the attendance so far has been wonderful; how exciting to see a few thousand residents come together and enjoy themselves and their neighbor’s company as well! The smell of kettle corn fills the amphitheater as well as the neighborhood. The gourmet food trucks are setup and ready to serve you with outstanding cuisine 1½ hours prior to the start of all performances. So be sure to come hungry!
All Sun Bowl shows are free and you bring your own chair or blanket.
The line-up for the fall/winter 2013 and the spring 2014 shows is ready to go before the Entertainment Committee for final approval and this new line-up will be a variety of performances that will surely meet the standards set by our Sun City residents. We are sure you won’t want to miss any of these performances so be sure to watch the SunViews and our website as we unveil these shows.
General:
For those who may not be aware, the monthly management reports are available on our website www.sunaz.com under the corporate tab. 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! We have forms available at the table in the back so you can sign up before you leave today.