RCSC committee recommends $680 annual assessment for 2026, cites catch‑up on inflation and staffing costs

The Budget, Finance and Audit Committee of the Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC) recommended a proposed 2026 operating budget that would raise the annual assessment from $650 to $680, an increase the presenters described as roughly "$0.08 per day." The committee recommended that change at a public town hall presentation and forwarded the proposal to the board for a first reading later this month and a second reading on Nov. 20.

Committee members said the increase is intended to keep assessments aligned with inflation and to cover operating costs including wages, utilities and preventive maintenance. Presenter Kim Wanek explained the daily breakdown: "If we go ahead and take a look at that increase, it's an increase of $0.08 per day." The committee projects annual assessment revenue will rise from just under $16 million in 2025 to just under $17 million in 2026.

The proposed operating budget lists total operating income increasing from about $29.2 million in 2025 to about $30.2 million in 2026. Key revenue assumptions include a golf income projection around $9.3 million and modest adjustments to user fees such as privilege cards and greens fees. The presentation anticipates net operating excess declining from $19.88 million to $18.54 million under the proposal.

Committee presenters emphasized wage and staffing pressures as primary drivers. Kim Wanek said RCSC employs 488 team members, about 64% part time, and described efforts to reduce turnover by raising pay: the committee reported turnover declined from about 40% to about 24% after recent wage adjustments. Operating‑side top expense categories listed in the presentation included wages and benefits, repairs and maintenance, utilities (water/sewer, electric, gas) and IT software maintenance.

The committee also outlined changes to several fees that support operating or capital funding, including an increase in the transfer fee charged when a home is purchased and incremental changes to certain golf and bowling fees. The presenters said SIF and PIF amounts will remain at 2025 levels for 2026 (PIF $4,000; SIF $1,500). The Budget, Finance and Audit Committee recommended approval of the budget as presented and scheduled board first and second readings for Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.

Questions from members at the town hall and on the livestream focused on how the additional revenue would be prioritized, whether payment plans would be available for larger fee increases, and the distinction between operating assessment funds and capital fees such as PIF and SIF. Finance staff said RCSC expects to offer a 50% down / 60‑day payoff option for the resident, no‑fee golf pass and that foundation assistance remains available for members who qualify.

The committee said the budget presentation is intended to be transparent about choices and tradeoffs and to show members how assessment dollars will be allocated across operations and capital contributions.