A month into its 2016-17 fiscal year, the Center of Anna Maria Island released its budget plan to the public.
The nonprofit introduced spending items in the budget at a community meeting July 25 attended by about 15 people and staff.
The fiscal year began July 1.
While a line item, detailed budget illustrating where specific gains and losses are expected for the fiscal year, was not distributed or shown to the public, a general budget overview was provided.
“There’s a lot of thought behind it,” said board treasurer Jim Froeschle at the community meeting. “It’s not just putting numbers on a sheet.”
The budget apparently was approved by the board of directors during a closed meeting June 28 and was not distributed to The Islander until July 28 — despite repeated requests.
The new budget overview shows a reduction in total spending from the 2015-16 fiscal year, down from $1,208,900 to $1,092,600. Reductions in management spending of $82,400 and program expenses of $18,200, along with the elimination of commercial loan payments and interest make up most of the reductions in spending.
According to Froeschle’s budget plan, the center expects to see a $40,100 increase in revenue from memberships, program participation and special events, along with a $102,100 increase in private donations and sponsorships in the 2016-17 year.
Revenue is planned to equal $1,094,600, leaving the center $2,000 in the black at the end of the fiscal year — if all goes according to plan.
During the July 25 meeting, center executive director Kristen Lessig said the nonprofit is seeking to build its membership base and diversify its special events, focusing more on community-based gatherings than large fundraising efforts.
The center’s budget plan shows support levels from island cities remaining at $45,000. Income from grants dropped to $66,500 from $104,200.
AMI Fitness owner Jen Crady appeared before Holmes Beach commissioners for a third time during their July 26 meeting to plead with the city to withhold funding from the center, stating a $3,038.92 revenue loss in two weeks, which she attributes to the center’s vacation rental sponsorship program.
The center allows short-term renters access to the fitness center for a donation from the rental management firm.
Anna Maria Island Accommodations is participating, having agreed to a per check-in donation in exchange for allowing tenants at its managed properties to utilize the fitness facilities. Lessig said the amount of the donation is up to the rental company, although she said it could amount to as much as $100,000 for the year based on the commitment from AMI Accommodations.
During public comment at the July 26 Holmes Beach meeting, resident Jim Kihm said he hoped the city budget would eliminate funding for the center. “I hope it will be stricken,” he said.
Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said there were still some concerns among the island mayors about the center, which he hoped would be cleared up in meetings with Lessig and Froeschle.
In addition to providing financial support to the center, Anna Maria also provides a $1 per year land lease for the organization based on the long-ago donation of the property to the city by the school district when Anna Maria Elementary School was relocated to Holmes Beach.
Other categories in the center’s budget show $27,500 in earned interest and $12,000 in other earned income, though the source is not stated.
The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.