Kiawah Island Digest October 2019 | Page 7

UNDERSTANDING KICA FINANCE How KICA’s Budgeting Process Works The process of stewarding millions of dollars annually to maintain Kiawah Island is lengthy and thoughtful. Although it’s a truly ongoing process, budget season officially launches with the creation of the first draft in early September and commences with final approval by the board in early November. To create a first draft, KICA staff evaluate operational needs and identify potential improvements to the organization’s functionality, efficiency and services. By the beginning of September, this draft is refined by KICA’s Director of Finance and Administration and is then provided to KICA’s Finance Committee for the first review. The Finance Committee is comprised of members of the community, staff and board members with expertise in finance and management. Committee members provide valuable discussion and feedback on all budget items, analyze numerous scenarios, and make recommendations for budget revisions. The committee then reports to the KICA Board of Directors with a briefing. Staff and the Finance Committee continue through October with several more drafts and multiple revisions, meetings, and updates to the board. In early November, KICA board members gather for a budget workshop to discuss all items in depth. Final refinements of the budget are made and a draft is shared online with the community for input. At the November board meeting, the annual budget is voted on by the directors. After approval, the final budget is published at kica.us/finances. In addition to active fall budgeting months, KICA’s Director of Finance and Administration provides monthly updates throughout the year to the board and Finance Committee to ensure proper oversight on execution and spending trends. Monthly financial reports and annual audits are posted online at kica.us/ finances. KICA is proud to have a record of clean audits. *KICA Finance Committee and board meetings are open for community members to attend. View these community meetings on the KICA event calendar. THE SANDCASTLE Lending Library a Community Endeavor Are you looking to spend the great fall weather on Kiawah with a companion? Whether your perfect match is a beach romance, mystery or nonfiction, you can find a good book to spend your quality time with at The Sandcastle library. This community amenity, first started by Sandcastle Book Club president Peg Russo in 1997, has been a member favorite for years. The library is truly a community effort – it’s been tended by a member volunteer from The Sandcastle Book Club since its founding and all the books are donated by members. Not only does this make for a lot of variety, but you will often find other members there, ready with their recommendations on what to choose. With close to 800 books and growing, it’s easy to pick up a book that speaks to you. Selections vary as books come and go, but often include audio books and puzzles. Best of all, there’s no library card needed – just pick up and go! Since The Sa n d c a s t l e’s dramatic renovation, the library is now located in the first floor hallway on custom shelving made by staff from the KICA Maintenance Department. Stop by today see what’s new. You can also donate your current fiction or nonfiction -- simply drop your books off with a member of staff at the front desk of The Sandcastle. KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST | 7