Oak Hills Park reports stronger-than-expected fiscal year; CapEx spending and reallocation discussed

Oak Hills Park Authority Controller Mark Gartner told the board July 16 that the park’s fiscal year closed stronger than budgeted, but that capital spending this year exceeded line-item plans.

"Our net operating income for the year is still $280,000 higher than budget," Gartner said during the meeting as he described year-end close and incoming audits. He reported cash of roughly $867,000 at June 30 and said the authority expects to return to a seven-figure cash balance depending on timing of budgeted receipts.

Gartner also reviewed capital expenditures: the authority began with a CapEx budget specified in the record (originally listed as $344,500), increased that planning figure by roughly $41,000, and reported actual capital spending of about $431,000 with total CapEx reported as $445,000 after $11,000 in capital contributions from the nonprofit Supporters of Oak Hills.

Board members discussed how that CapEx flexibility could be used for urgent needs such as drilling wells to address water restrictions. Gartner said internal reclassification of line items is possible so long as total CapEx does not exceed the approved amount; he and other members said reallocation does not necessarily require a new formal vote if total spending limits are preserved.

Members asked for and were offered follow-up detail on multi-year CapEx projections, reserve targets and a three-year priority schedule for major items such as refurbishing the maintenance building. Gartner said he would share planning documents with new members and follow up on the prior-year cash comparison requested by a board member.

The board did not adopt additional budget authority at the meeting; members requested staff provide clarified CapEx projections and any procurement guidance needed to support proposed well-drilling work.