Update: An error was made on page 4 of the print edition of the January Rec Center News. The Governing Board President’s column was not updated for January. We have updated it in the online version of the Rec Center News. We are also reprinting it here for convenience.
January Governing Board President’s column
2026-27 Budget and Dues Discussions Start in January
Happy New Year! I cannot believe it’s 2026 already. With the whirlwind of the holidays behind us, the Board and its committees will begin discussing and analyzing our budget in earnest, including member dues, rates, fees and projects that will commence in the next fiscal year (July 1).
While the Board decisions and votes will be made in May, every owner and resident should pay attention to these discussions now. Please mark your calendar for some important dates so you can understand the details, ask questions and make your input heard.
Starting this month, the board and our committees will start reviewing the potential capital expenditures for 2026-27. Capital expenditures tend to be fixed assets, such as buildings, facilities, and other major expenditures. Capital Improvement Projects can either be new projects, or repair and replacement of existing assets. We generally pay for these projects from our Reserve Fund. Each standing committee will be reviewing CIP details, along with the board. RCSCW key leadership staff will make the first presentation of the details of these projects including scope and cost, as follows:
- 6, 9 a.m. – B&F Committee
- 6, 1:30 p.m. – Chartered Clubs Committee
- 7, 1:30 p.m. – Sports Pavilion Committee
- 8, 9 a.m. – Properties Committee
- 8, 1:30 p.m. – Golf Committee
- 9, 9 a.m. – Governing Board Workshop
In February, the Board and committees will also review the operating budget, which will directly include and impact our dues, fees and rates, etc. As described in our bylaws, RCSCW accounts for Golf and Sports Pavilion as separate divisions. Each division has its own expense and rate structure as a part of the overall dues we all pay. If you are a bowler or have questions about those expenses or rates, you will certainly want to attend or review the recordings of the Sports Pavilion Committee as they begin to evaluate expenses, new rates and improvements for that specific facility. Similarly, the Golf Committee will evaluate expenses and new rates in detail at their committee meetings. The Budget and Finance Committee looks at all expenditures, overall expenses, etc., across all divisions, but the recommendations for golf and bowling rates come from those two committees.
Some important presentation dates regarding the operating budget include:
- 17, 9 a.m. – B&F (First Draft)
- March 3, 9 a.m. – B&F (Revised)
- March 12, 9 a.m. – Sports Pavilion Committee
- March 12, 1:30 p.m. – Golf Committee
- March 13, 9 a.m. – GB Workshop
As I described in my September column, our committees make recommendations to the Board. The budget discussions, analysis and debate will continue at all board and committee meetings in February, March and April, culminating in final Governing Board votes in April and May. Here are a few key dates to note:
- April 21, 9 a.m. – Executive Summary of Proposed Annual Financial Plan (Recommendation to GB) – B&F Committee
- April 21, 5:30 p.m. – Community-wide open forum to present the proposed financial plan
- April 22, 9 a.m. – Community-wide open forum to present the proposed financial plan
The directors will then be poised to make the decisions on the overall Financial Plan:
- April 23, 9a.m. – 2026 Capital Budget Vote and Executive Summary of Proposed Annual Financial Plan – GB Regular Meeting
- May 21, 9 a.m. – Final Annual Financial Plan Approval – GB Regular Meeting
Now more than ever, costs, fees and expenses are top of mind for all my fellow owner/members. The Board and our committees do want to hear from our fellow owner/members, and the sooner the better. Now is the time for you to participate: to listen to the debates, ask your questions, and make your thoughts known. If you’re not sure where to direct your input or questions, you can write to me at Christine.Novello@suncitywest.com or, write to the entire Governing Board at once at GB@suncitywest.com.
As ever: President’s Office Hours are on the first working Monday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m.; this month, on Jan. 5. If you need to meet outside the monthly office hours, please call Karen Roepken, the Governing Board assistant, at 623-544-6115 for an appointment.