MWCD Board Approves $10.4 Million Spending Plan for 2006
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is projecting a budget surplus of more than $192,000 for 2006.
During a meeting today (Dec. 16), members of the MWCD Board of Directors approved a budget plan for 2006 that details $10.418 million in projected expenses and $10.610 million in estimated revenues.
A political subdivision of the State of Ohio organized in 1933 for flood reduction and water conservation benefits for the residents of the Muskingum River Watershed, the MWCD generates nearly all of its revenue from user fees associated with recreational use of its facilities and the stewardship of its natural resources.
James B. Cugliari, MWCD chief financial officer/treasurer, reviewed details from the projected budget with Board members, explaining that many categories are expected to increase about 3 percent over 2005 figures. He also praised the Conservancy District staff, stating that overall expenditures for 2005 have been kept in check and should come in under original projections.
“Our supervisors and staff have been very aware of our overall tight, balanced budgets of the past few years and have done an outstanding job in controlling expenses and looking for opportunities to save dollars,” Cugliari said. “Our budget for 2006 is not much different in that we will again be scrutinizing expenses very closely.”
One MWCD operation that Cugliari and MWCD Executive Director/Secretary John M. Hoopingarner said they have been monitoring on a regular basis is the overall performance of Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center located near Dellroy. The resort, a 104-room hotel and full-service resort, is owned by the MWCD and has been under the direct management of Boykin Properties Inc. of Cleveland since June 2004.
Boykin officials are projecting an overall loss of about $227,000 for 2006, after losing more than $380,000 in 2005. Boykin said it believes it will break even or make money beginning in 2007 as it continues to enact cost savings and improve marketing programs.
“We are reviewing all facets of the resort operations with the professionals at Boykin to make the resort perform as a positive revenue stream for the Conservancy District,” Hoopingarner said. “This includes any viable development opportunities that may exist, and strategies to enhance guest experiences at Atwood Lake Resort to make it attractive for groups and families.”
In other business, the Board:
- Agreed to renew overnight boat decal rates for 2006 with no change over the 2005 rates. The cost of docking a boat overnight on a MWCD lake is $1 per night or $55 for the season for one boat, and $3 per night or $200 per season for each subsequent boat.
- Approved the award of a contract to Jim Romig Excavating of Sherrodsville for its low bid of $14,400 for a stabilization project on 300 feet of shoreline in Elliot Bay at Atwood Lake. A contract for removal of an estimated 140 potentially hazardous trees in and around the cottages at Atwood Lake Resort was awarded to Dave Tree Expert Co. on its bid of $34,450. Both projects are expected to be completed before the start of the 2006 recreation season.
- Awarded a contract for construction of a disinfection/dechlorination facility for the wastewater treatment plant at Tappan Lake Park to Soehnlen Piping of Dover on its low bid price of $74,500.
- Agreed to renew a proposal with W.E. Quicksall and Associates Inc. of New Philadelphia for engineering services for 2006 with no increase in rates over 2005 levels.
- Approved an updated marine event policy that governs group events held on the MWCD lakes, including fishing tournaments. All group events must be registered with the MWCD main office at New Philadelphia. Details are available by contacting the main office toll-free at (877) 363-8500 Ext. 201. In 2005, a total of 291 events were registered.
