Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pharr chamber: budget on track; Avocado Fest revenue to be reclassified after finance review
Summary
The Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce board heard a midyear financial report showing the budget on track but flagged gaps in how Avocado Fest revenue is recorded. The board approved the treasurer's report and entered a closed session to discuss Avocado Fest accounting.
Chairwoman Sonia Falcon opened the May meeting of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce by asking staff to present the midyear financial update. CJ, a staff member, told the board the chamber has used about 50% of its budgeted income and has roughly 41% of budgeted income remaining at the midyear point.
The report identified membership revenue as one area currently below projection. Eloina (membership staff) told the board the chamber expects $7,150 in new/renewal membership income to be recorded and said staff plans a membership drive and outreach over the summer to improve renewals.
CJ also raised an accounting issue tied to the Avocado Fest. CJ said the current financial report shows Avocado Fest income as $45,000, but finance staff told the chamber that income collected before October had not been recorded on this budget report and that finance is creating a separate line item to separate Avocado Fest receipts for 2024 and 2025. "They are working on, accumulating that, creating a separate budget line item so that we can identify Avocado Fest 2024 and 2025," CJ said. Chairwoman Falcon asked for a clear report showing how much was collected for Avocado Fest 2024; CJ said finance is working on that and the item will be discussed further in the closed session.
The board approved the treasurer's report as presented. Alma Caso made the motion to approve the treasurer's report; Tommy Guerra seconded. The vote was recorded as unanimous.
Before the board recessed, staff introduced Sabrina Solis, described as the new comptroller with the finance department who is filling in for Jamieson while he is on FMLA. The board then recessed into closed session "in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code" to discuss agenda items raised in the public portion, including Avocado Fest financial matters. The board returned to open session at 1:08 p.m. with no further action reported publicly.
The financial update and the Avocado Fest accounting clarification were the most substantive fiscal items the board addressed; membership renewals and clearer Avocado Fest revenue reporting were identified as follow-ups for staff and finance.
