Some candidates answer questions, others avoid them.
All candidates were asked to submit responses. Only Mark Case, Harry Swenson and Frank Wright returned responses.
What would you do to address the increasing need for subsidies?
Case
No increasing subsidies. In fact, just reduce costs.
Swenson
At this time nothing since our IVGID finances are in disastrous and untenable shape! That said, we need to fully understand our budget, both the details of the expenses and the revenues. I was hoping that when the trustees requested that staff do zero base budgeting last year it would detail the real needs, and thus the expenses of all our venues. So zero based budgeting requires the managers to prepare their funding based on efficiency and necessity rather than historical allocations. It is also a best practice for the managers to convince not only the funder (You and I), but also each other as to the necessity of their funds. It was interesting, in last May’s budget marathon, when the venue managers said that they didn’t know what their budget was until it was handed to them. So obviously IVGID didn’t do zero-based budgeting! In my NASA executive experience, we always did zero-based budgeting, and the challenges that I experienced from other managers provided me with the skills and tools to convince #xcellent management and compatible weather, DP has been able to make a surplus. That said, if all of its surplus is used to fund other venues it will have nothing left to reinvest in itself to remain a competitive and money making operation. There is a real need to upgrade many of its chairs and lots of folks want an updated Snowflake Lodge. This won’t happen if it isn’t allowed to use some of its funds for long-term improvements.
Wright
Diamond Peak will need all of its operating profit to pay just part of the costs of its own projects. We can no longer assume there will be anything to subsidize other venues.
One candidate said he thought we could double or triple proposed facility fees and still receive an incredible value. Would you feel that way with a $2340 fee?
Case
No way! The rec fee is an illegal tax. It’s a tax that is not charged equally through out the district.
Swenson
No, I believe until we get our finances in order, no one should be proposing any increase in fees, taxes or bonding. Once we have a fully transparent and understandable budget and finances then we might consider going to the voters and explain the potential need for more revenues and discuss with the community what we need to cut to get our finances in balance. These may be hard choices, but it needs to be accomplished.
Wright
Our property owners are facing huge increases in insurance costs and everything else. Recreation is for most “discretionary”. Increasing the fee at this time should not be considered.
Do you think trustees should approve bonds without a bond election? Why or why not?
Case
No. Let the parcel owners decide in an election if they want a bond issued or not.
Swenson
No, I believe until we get our finances in order, no one should be proposing any increase in fees, taxes or bonding. Once we have a fully transparent and understandable budget and finances then we might consider going to the voters and explain the potential need for more revenues and discuss with the community what we need to cut to get our finances in balance. These may be hard choices, but it needs to be accomplished.
Wright
Except for necessary utilities projects, voters should be able to decide whether or not to bond.
Do you think the Hyatt and other hotels/STR’s should pay a higher Facility Fee since they derive a substantial economic benefit from our Facilities? If so, how much?
Case
No. I don’t think any commercial outlets should pay a higher fee, but they should pay the fair share of the fees based on the amount of dwelling units they rent
Swenson
Possibly yes, I know many of the apartment/condos pay a Facility for each separate residence. And I have been told that the Hyatt pays only a single user fee. This seems very unfair. So I would propose that our staff do an analysis on the amount of usage that the hotels and STRs use and price their fee accordingly. This could even be a fee based on the previous year’s usage, that could be refunded in the current year if usage went down.
Wright
The Hyatt has been getting an “incredible bargain” since the homeowner pays to provide amenities that attract Hyatt customers. Hotels used to pay a half rec fee for every unit. That sounds fair. Similarly, STR’s get more benefit than the average homeowner. Maybe a 10% surcharge for properties that operate STR’s.
We have a shared use agreement with the School District. Will you ask WCSD for some free use of the new school dance studio/culinary arts areas?
Case
No. I don’t really see how the district benefits from this agreement. Time to re-evaluate or eliminate.
Swenson
I have no opinion of this now due to not having a copy of the agreement. I do though want to understand this agreement and any other agreements with local, state or national governments or non profits for shared use or otherwise partnership agreements.
Wright
We often let the school district use IVGID amenities for free. I would have no hesitation in asking to use the dance studio/culinary arts area outside of regular school hours.
Would you favor an across-the- board percentage discount for parcel owners rather than setting different discounts everywhere?
Case
No. Because it would subsidize poor management practices. We should only be paying what it costs to use them.
Swenson
Possibly, some discounts are based on the ability of the particular venues to cover some aspect of their expenses. I believe DP does heavily discount their resident ski passes, due to the influx of visitor usage. Currently I think until we fully understand our finances that I would be premature in making this type of recommendation.
Wright
The pricing policy is ridiculous. A consistent percentage discount makes sense.
Many communities have citizen budget committees. Would you support such a committee here?
Case
Yes. Absolutely. We need transparency
Swenson
Yes, I was shocked that we didn’t have one.
Wright
Once the Board comes up with better policies for budgeting (like a zero based budget), it could be a tremendous help to have a citizen committee.
Pre-covid we had a very extensive community survey. Demographics have changed. Would you support a new survey before committing funds for major projects?
Case
Yes. The town and the community have changed in the past four years.
Swenson
I believe we need a real strategic plan for our community before committing to any new major projects. Our current one is a joke to anyone that has actually produced strategic plans. Good strategic plans are hard but important work and should also have a complimentary financial plan. A good strategic plan usually is developed with participation of the following benefactors: 1) funders (you and I), 2) Implementers (IVGID staff and management) and 3) potential major contractors to make guesstimates on large capital improvement projects. This provides a good approach for actually implementable long range plans.
Wright
If we can use the former survey as a template and don’t have to start from scratch, the District has tools for detailed surveys that could be done at a very low cost. Yes, I would support a new survey.