Jekyll Island Authority reports improved March finances, approves $5,681 capital purchase

The Jekyll Island State Park Authority reported stronger-than-expected March financial results and unanimously approved a small capital purchase during its April 23 board meeting.

Bill Gross, Finance Committee chair, told the board that March revenues were $3,231,908, expenses were $2,845,223 and net operating cash income was $386,684. He said March traffic counts were 116,563 vehicles and March hotel revenues totaled $6.5 million. Gross highlighted budget variances that boosted results, including business lease revenue ($213,000 over budget), interest income ($78,000 over) and convention center and golf revenues that exceeded forecasts.

Marjorie Johnson, chief accounting officer, presented a capital request for a replacement tire balancing machine totaling $5,681.33. Ruel Joyner moved to recommend approval and Glen Willard seconded; the recommendation carried unanimously.

Gross also noted year-to-date performance: a $3.8 million favorable budget variance in net operating cash and a nearly $1 million improvement over prior-year totals. He reported that year-to-date hotel statistics trailed last year (year-to-date hotel revenues $13.1 million, occupancy 58% versus 64.3% a year earlier) and that average daily rates and revenue-per-available-room were lower than in March 2023.

The board accepted the minutes of its March 19 meeting without discussion and carried the Finance Committee recommendation to approve the capital request. The meeting adjourned after the body completed its listed action items.