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Commissioners press Whitewater leadership for audited financials as county funding continues
Summary
Commissioners discussed continued county support for the Whitewater recreation facility, asking when audited financial statements would be available and noting progress on revenue growth and expense cuts; staff said audited 2024 statements were in process and county appropriations would continue to cover operating deficits.
Montgomery County commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing finances and future support for the Whitewater recreation facility.
A commissioner said audited financial statements were needed before approving further funds and asked for a timetable; county staff said the facility is in the process of obtaining audited 2024 financials and explained the audit will close out 2024, an auditing firm will be hired and recommendations will follow. Staff did not give a specific audit-completion date but said the facility will close out 2024 and then proceed with the audit process.
Commissioners and staff described Whitewater as operating with a continuing deficit but with revenue gains. County remarks noted year-over-year revenue growth exceeding 50 percent and record weekends in recent weeks; officials said management had cut expenses and hired a new general manager, Jason Wilson, whose early changes have produced measurable results. The commissioners discussed projections that the deficit should decline over the next two years as revenue ramps up.
One commissioner emphasized nonfinancial benefits: Whitewater’s role in regional quality of life and its relationships with Maxwell Air Force Base leadership. Commissioners said the facility was never intended to be a profitable enterprise but to support tourism, recruitment and community recreation.
County staff and commissioners indicated the commission would continue to fund operating needs while expecting audited financials and more detailed projections from facility management. No new, specific appropriation amount was approved during the discussion; commissioners referred to an existing agenda item addressing transfers and appropriations that included funding for operations but did not tie a new, discrete vote to Whitewater during the verbal discussion.
Commissioners asked staff to provide audited statements and supporting projections once available.
