District Manager Lawrence Blood told Holiday Island commissioners at Monday’s meeting that 2018 assessments are projected at $2,037,000 and would exceed last year’s revenue by almost seven percent. His office is working on personnel policy updates, job descriptions, evaluations and development plans. He also noted the number of subscriptions to the HI newsletter is up to 1,138.
Annual revenue for water and wastewater should exceed last year’s revenue, and he forecast expenditures to be down in comparison for at least 2018. Staff repaired service line leaks and a leak in the main line during the past month. Blood said they are looking for a qualified person to fill a department vacancy, but insist the person have certain experience and licenses.
Road Department Supervisor Kenny DeHart said he has researched advice for managing roads during icy and snowy weather, and said he gets conflicting advice. He might try beet juice next winter to counteract certain conditions. An improvement in conditions for his workers would be a covered area for mixing the products they use in the winter. Overall, DeHart commented hard winters tax his limited manpower and resources.
Blood said he is trying a cross-training strategy that would enable other District personnel to help the road crews in winter.
The Fire Department has been experiencing an increase in calls every year for a few years. Whereas 581 calls came in during 2017, HIFD received 58 in January and 128 in February. Seventy-eight of the calls last year were for medical responses.
Regarding the Recreation Center, Blood said the roof is being repaired and the ventilation system for the restrooms is being renovated.
Weather dampened revenue from golf during the first two months of the year, but Blood said this is not unusual and he expects an upturn soon. The accounting shows the majority of revenue from the golf activities comes from food and beverage sales at the Club House.
Golf pro Barry Storie produced a new brochure listing all the leagues, tournaments and other activities available, and is available at the clubhouse. The merchandise inventory continues to be upgraded and is selling well. Blood noted course superintendent John Prange is preparing to become a certified golf course superintendent.
Getting to know you
Blood announced it was time for annual orientations, and commissioners eventually settled on April 27 and April 30, a Friday and Monday, no earlier than 10 a.m. Blood explained the orientation is an annual event where, over a two-day period, new commissioners can tour all the district’s facilities and receive presentations from department heads concerning their department’s individual needs and goals.
Blood noted in the last two elections, all of the incumbents were reëlected. Nevertheless, the orientations and tours are open to the public so residents can learn about the internal workings of the district, and therefore the board continues the yearly show-and-tell.
Announcements
Chair David Makidon recognized B.J. Daniels as Volunteer of the Month. Daniels is president of the Garden Club and the Community Garden as well as serving as chair of the Beautification Committee. Janice Murphy was recognized as Employee of the Month. Murphy is president of the HI Travel Club and is the HI Facilities Coordinator. She started at the Recreation Center in 2008.
Final items
Ken Brown asked commissioners to draft a resolution in protest of the $18 annual assessment on property owners caused by the default of the Ozark Mountain Waste District. Brown said HI residents get no benefit from the assessment, which might continue for 30 years.
Next meeting will be Monday, April 16, at 9 a.m.