Community center report shows revenue lag; staff blames timing and contract billing

The Seaside Community Center’s monthly financial report showed revenues running below expectations, staff told the commission during an informal discussion.

Staff member Darren Muj said the center’s year is about 92.06% complete while revenue collections were roughly 68.8% of budgeted levels, a gap driven primarily by lower-than-forecasted building rentals and the timing of contract payments. He explained that two contracts feed the revenue GL line — a staffing contract tied to the senior meal site operated with Northwest Senior Disability Services and a city management fee — and that under a cash accounting approach the center is often a month behind in recording receipts.

The gap is not necessarily a permanent shortfall, Muj said: payments from Northwest Senior Disability Services and the city can lag the reporting month, and the full $84,180 budgeted for that GL line is frequently realized by early August once prior payments post. Commission members requested a copy of the community-center portion of the annual budget to review line-by-line comparisons with monthly reports.

Commissioners also asked for clarification about refunds and deposits: staff noted that the CC refunds line can exceed deposit receipts when entire rental fees (not just deposits) are returned after cancellations. Muj pledged to provide clearer budget pages at the next meeting and to include the center’s annual budget packet for commissioners to review.

The commission did not take formal action during the discussion; members agreed to receive the requested budget materials at their next scheduled meeting.