Complex board, city hammering out budget

The El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex Board is working with the chairman of the city’s Finance Committee to balance year-to-date numbers in the 2020 complex budget.

Like other city departments, the complex board is reviewing an updated financial report that was sent out last month by City Treasurer Trena Dean.

Board members cited unusual circumstances that affected the process by which the city’s regular financial statements are updated and distributed.

For instance, the El Dorado City Council appointed a new treasurer, Dean, in June after the position had been vacant for nearly a month as council members wrangled over the process by which the city treasurer is appointed.

Also, the Complex reopened July 23 after having been closed since early March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Arkansas Activities Association made the call to close such facilities around the state after the virus hit. The AAA lifted the dead period for the closures and team sports June 1.

However, the City Council opted to keep the Complex closed longer due to health and safety concerns and potential liabilities.

Moreover, Council members also placed a moratorium on spending for non-essential city services — a freeze that included the Complex and a contract for services with facility manager the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado — earlier this year to assess how the public health crisis was affecting 2020 city budget.

Council Member Vance Williamson, who is also chairman of the Finance Committee, and other city officials said revenues looked good in early spring, noting that residents had received payments from a federal stimulus package to help individuals, families and businesses who may be struggling economically because of COVID-19.

City officials said they felt it was prudent to cut back on spending because of financial uncertainties that have been created by the virus.

In mid-July, Council members confirmed that revenues over the past three months had dropped but not as sharply as anticipated.

After some consideration, the Council responded to calls from the community to reopen the Complex and city officials resumed the management contract with the BGCE.

The $45,000 annual contract will be prorated for the remainder of the year.

Union County also contributes to the Complex’s annual operating budget, which includes the contract for services with the BGCE.

The Department of Public Works handled some routine maintenance work, including mowing, during the period in which the Complex was closed.

The facility hosted its first tournament in months Aug. 1 and 2.

During a Complex Board meeting July 31, chairman Greg Harrison said he is working with Williamson to reconcile a discrepancy in expenditures that have been reported for the Complex through June 30.

Harrison said the expenses came to nearly $83,600, adding that the amount should be about half of the total.

The single largest expenditure over the past few months was $1,980 that was invoiced in May by Foster Tree Service to clean up debris that was caused by storm damage.

The work entailed the removal of dead trees from the playground area.

Expenses for repairs and maintenance in April and May came to $4,983 and expenditures for supplies between February and April totaled $6,591, according to a city financial statement.

“Our expenses for June were $546. That’s less than $600. The bottom line is it’s off by $41,500 and some change,” Harrison said. He told Complex Board members that Williamson is sorting through the matter.