6
August 2014
KICA Finances: How Are Things Going?
After some challenging economic times, things are looking up.
After these ups and downs, where does KICA stand financially?
How have past and current economic trends impacted our financial
situation? Controller Deborah Retalis explains how the association’s
finances are managed and how recent trends have impacted KICA’s
financial situation.
What economic factors have most impacted KICA?
To understand the impact of these economic trends, you first have
to understand the sources of our income and how we manage our
expenses. KICA manages its income and expenses through two distinct
sets of funds – reserve funds and operating funds.
Reserve funds are committed to major repairs and replacements
of buildings, their components, and infrastructure owned by the
community association (including roads, bridges, lakes and our 43
mile underground drainage system, leisure trails, boardwalks and
bulkheads.) Each year a specialist is hired to perform a reserve study
of our infrastructure assets. The study includes a financial analysis of
those assets to forecast future requirements. Although the scope of
the study is 30 years, the emphasis is on the next five to 10 years. By
understanding both current and future needs KICA is able to manage
these projects as part of its ongoing long-range planning policy.
Historically, reserve funding has come primarily from one source –
the contribution to reserves fee (CTR), as described in the covenants,
which is a 0.5% transfer fee paid by the purchaser on property sales. In
2013, the approval of the Supplemental Annual Assessment became a
second source of revenue for the Reserve funds.
Operating funds make up the second category. These are used for
general infrastructure maintenance, landscape and lakes management,
administrative expenses, security, recreation activities and other
Sandcastle expenses. There are two primary sources for these funds.
The largest source is the annual assessment paid by members each
January. This assessment is approved by the board each year as a part
of the annual budget process. Assessments are billed per improved
property (home) with an additional segment assessment billed to
properties behind the Vanderhorst Gate to fund operation of that
gate. Undeveloped properties (lots) are billed at half the amount of
improved properties; commercial property assessments are based on a
Amenities Input Process Continues
All primary owner households were mailed the Approach for
Improving Amenities & Services booklet, with a survey, in early
July with a July 25 deadline.
The McMahon group is now tabulating the results for board
review, expected to be in September. The board will use the
survey data to determine next steps, if any. The board wishes to
thank the membership for their time in completing the survey
and providing their input.
flat rate per square foot while undeveloped acreage is assessed per acre.
[For more information on KICA assessments, visit kica.us (KICA A-Z/
Financial Documents).] Commercial access fees are the second major
source of operating funds, coming from passes purchased by various
vendors working on the island.
How has the receipt and use of these funds moved in recent years?
Contributions to Reserves peaked in 2005 at $3 million, declined
through 2009, and have slowly risen over the last several years. Actual
revenue for 2013 was $1.5 million. Our 2014 budget is $1.5 million.
Year-to-date through June 30, KICA is running unfavorable to plan
by 25%. The association’s reserve policy provides that the minimum
acceptable level of reserves will be an amount determined annually by
totaling reserve projects for the next five years and dividing by half.
The 2014 minimum was set at $7.2 million. Due to the decline in
CTR’s during the recession and increased infrastructure costs, the
board approved the Supplemental Annual Assessment, in 2013 which
is intended to stabilize the reserve fund.
2013 reserve fund projects totaled $1.5 million. Our 2014 project
budget is $2.6 million. On the operating fund side, the current year
budget is $8.6 million with $7.2 million coming from assessment
income and the balance from commercial access fees, amenity user fees
and investment income.
The receipt of operating funds has increased based on annual
assessment increases approved from time to time during the budget
process. KICA’s operating funds have consistently run a surplus from
year-to-year.
Considering all of these factors, how are we doing?
KICA’s balance sheet remains strong and the addition of the
Supplemental Annual Assessment has strengthened our longer term
projections. Members can be assured that as the island infrastructure
ages, important projects and unexpected expenses will be funded. With
a philosophy of prudent financial management and continually looking
into the future, KICA is managing through change – committed to
keeping Kiawah Island the beautiful home that it is today.
Article contributed by Digest Member Volunteer Deb Stewart.
Nominating Committee Work Underway
The 2014 KICA Nominating Committee has been formed and has
begun working towards their goal of identifying potential candidates
for KICA board service. Committee members include: Chair – John
Connolly; David Tharpe (MRR Committee); Glenn Brown (Finance
Committee); Brendan Burke (HR Committee); Linda Wilson (At
Large Member), Theresa Widuch (At Large Member)
If you are interested in board or committee service, you can contact
the Nominating Committee at [email protected]. For
information on the KICA Board of Directors, visit kica.us (Inside