Rancho Santa Fe Association board approves final operating budget

By Karen Billing

The Rancho Santa Fe Association board approved June 19 its final operating and capital budget and schedule of fees for fiscal year 2014-15.

The budget was mailed to every member of the Association and a finance committee budget hearing, which was open to the public, was held on May 28. With six attendees at the budget hearing, Comstock joked that it was a 500 percent increase in attendance as typically only one member attends the budget hearing every year.

After the budget hearing on May 28, the Association successfully negotiated changes in employee health care options.

“We’re maintaining what we have in place in the budget for the coming year but we expect to see substantial budgetary savings,” said Steve Comstock, chief financial officer. Comstock said for the first time in the history of the expenses and operational budget the staff is making personal contributions to healthcare plans.

RSF Association President Philip Wilkinson asked if the healthcare changes have been well received by staff.

“Staff has accepted the changes and is comfortable with them as they’ve been presented,” said RSF Association Acting Manager Ivan Holler.

RSF Association Director Jerry Yahr said changes for existing employees are always going to be difficult, but he said he thinks staff has accepted them graciously and that the Association is making positive steps forward overall.

“The plan is still rather generous, better than the average plan out there,” said RSF Golf Club Manager Al Castro.