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14 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | NOVEMBER 2024 | Sun Lakes Committee Reports Welcome, November! This month we're reminded to be thankful for the many positive things and blessings in our lives. God Bless America! This month we will again honor and celebrate our bravest citizens on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Then it's Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 with more family holidays to follow. The Bingo Advisory Committee is happy to announce we will again support the Sun Lakes 13th Annual Veterans Day Walk event sponsored by the Recreation Department on Nov. 9 with a donation of $3,000. This event is a very worthy cause and everyone in our community needs to support this effort. Mark your calendars! Our game nights this month are Nov. 12, 19, and 26. Everyone is welcome so bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Players must be 18 years old. Many cash prizes and door prizes are won each week. Doors open at 4:30 pm and games start promptly at 6 pm. The Restaurant & Lounge staff will provide bingo players with delicious dinner entrees and bar service. Please remember that food and bar service are only available with a credit card — NO CASH! Bingo will be dark for the month of December due to all the holiday events happening in the Ballroom. Bingo Advisory As stated in our charter, the Finance Committee (FAC) is responsible for the development, preparation, and review of the annual budget. In early October, management submitted a third revision of the 2025 budget that was 7.5 percent higher than the $14.5 million budget for 2024. The FAC analysis involved extensive research based on actual current 12 months of expense or revenue for each and every account, a review of 2022 and 2023 actual revenue and expenses by account, cost of living increases to wages, contract rate increases, and estimated higher utility rates and usage. There are 11 categories of revenue and expenses to review, 98 FirstService employees, and over 20 outside vendor contracts. Each line item was reviewed and compiled into a spreadsheet that follows the FirstService budget format for ease of review by the Master Board. FAC developed recommended changes to the budget proposed by management that would have a positive effect on both revenues and expenses, and overall, increases our operating budget by 5 percent. These changes are supported by the research. By the time you read this, the 2025 budget should be approved by the Master Board. The FAC exists to support the Master Board by gathering the financial information needed to make sound business decisions. In our monthly meetings, we discuss performance to budget and review the variance report prepared by management as well as discussion around new initiatives and the financial impact of those as presented by the Board Treasurer and FirstService Executive Director. If you're interested in joining our committee and have a knowledge of budgeting, accounting methods, analysis, business planning, and procedures, and can evaluate financial reports, please consider filling out an application. We are recruiting for another three members. Residents are welcome to attend Finance Committee meetings and the next one is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 2 pm in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. Respectfully submitted by Sandra Gutknecht, Secretary for the FAC Financial Advisory things and blessings in our lives. Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Then it's Thanksgiving on Nov. 28 with more family holidays to follow. 13th Annual Veterans Day Walk event sponsored by the Recreation Department on Nov. 9 with a donation of $3,000. This event is a very worthy cause and everyone in our community needs to support this effort. welcome so bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Players must be 18 years old. Many cash prizes and door prizes are won each week. Doors open at 4:30 pm and games start promptly at 6 pm. The Restaurant & Lounge staff will provide bingo players with delicious dinner entrees and bar service. Please remember that food and bar service are only available with a credit card — NO CASH! Ballroom. Bingo Advisory

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