Community center leaders urge Stafford MSD to fund program director as rentals fail to cover operating shortfall

Members of the Community Center Oversight Committee told the board the facility is underused by Stafford residents and currently runs a deficit; they asked the district for direction, marketing support and a funded program director.

Mr. Alvazov presented financial statements showing current-year operations (September through January) with revenues roughly $4,605 and expenditures near $10,000, producing negative net income for the month; last year's beginning fund balance reflected a prior-year deficit. Committee and community members said rental fees provide most revenue and that membership and programming are limited by lack of a dedicated activities director. "We need someone to plan these activities because we can't do it...we need a full-time activities director or activities personnel over there that can do that," CCOC members told the board. Trustees asked administrators to explore grant funding, partnerships and creative models (including performance incentives tied to memberships) while noting the district's tight budget.

Board members and administration acknowledged the problem of funding and said the item (related to a potential budget allocation for the community center) is on the agenda for further discussion; trustees emphasized finding revenues and not relying on general fund transfers if the center is to be sustainable.