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Commissioner questions Douglas County CASA's reserves as organization seeks $60,000
Summary
A commissioner said Douglas County CASA's fund balance was roughly 220% of annual operating budget and questioned the need for a $60,000 county contribution; CASA's Eric said much of the balance is endowed principal preserved under board policy and that proceeds were reinvested for development.
During the supplemental budget review, a commissioner pressed Douglas County CASA about why the nonprofit was requesting $60,000 when its reported fund balance represented a large share of its operating budget.
"Douglas County Casa currently has a fund balance of 220% of its total assets, and you're asking for $60,000," the commissioner said, questioning whether that tax burden should fall on county taxpayers. Eric, a CASA representative, responded that the organization’s balance includes an endowed gift from an estate and that the board has followed an investment policy that preserves principal while reinvesting a small percentage of proceeds annually for development and operations. He said the organization used roughly $575,000 of those funds to acquire a building and secured other grants to renovate facilities.
Eric said CASA has historically reinvested 3–5% of proceeds back into operations and development and that spending down principal would eliminate the endowment fallback. The exchange ended with staff noting they may invite additional partners to the table for further follow up; no formal county action was taken in this session.
