ACC reviews revised 2027 budget; presentation shows modest growth and a small assessment increase

Aaron, the staff lead on the budget review, opened the board’s second look at the 2027 draft operating budget, saying the plan shows total operating growth of about $775,000, or 5.2% over 2026.

"In this budget draft, the total 2027 operating budget grows by 775,000 or 5.2% over 2026," Aaron said during the presentation. He told the board staff had combed each line for revenue and savings after direction at a Sept. 9 work session and had reduced the draft by roughly $101,000 compared with that earlier version.

D, the finance presenter, gave a month-by-month snapshot and highlighted current-year operating figures. "Operating loss year to date in the amount of $179,000," D said, noting that much of the consolidated net loss recorded year-to-date reflects non-cash depreciation and that the consolidated view still showed a favorable variance to budget.

Staff described the drivers behind the numbers: enhancement fees, program revenue catching up, facility rental revenue, and personnel savings of about $151,000. The presentation showed reserve contributions and utilities rising in the draft; employee-related costs were listed as increasing roughly 5.27% year-over-year. To reduce assessment pressure, staff proposed lowering the enhancement fund transfer from $444,000 to $300,000 in the draft.

Aaron summarized the net local impact and reporting schedule: after the adjustments, the presentation reported a monthly assessment increase of $6.50, framed in the packet as a 7.62% increase in the assessment rate for the draft budget. Staff emphasized that further expense reductions would require service-level cuts and that final figures would return to the board for a vote on Oct. 28 with a finance committee review on Oct. 27.

Board members thanked staff for the work to tighten the draft and asked staff to continue searching for additional savings where feasible. The presentation materials and the working numbers remain available to residents via the ACC meeting packet and the October meeting is when the board intends to take final action.