USTA board begins meetings

The annual board of directors meeting of the U.S. Trotting Association got underway Saturday in  Columbus, Ohio. The board’s first action after convening was the election of Dick Brandt Jr. as treasurer of the organization. Brandt, a director representing Ohio, replaces Judy Roland of Iowa. Also, Ivan Axelrod was re-elected chairman of the board, and Russell Williams was returned as vice chairman.

The biggest issue the USTA will likely deal with during its annual meeting is its budget moving forward. The Finance Committee met for more than 90 minutes and reviewed the 2009 financial results, obligations the association has for its pension plan, and the 2010 budget.

Based on projected revenues and expenses, the USTA is facing a $500,000 shortfall. USTA staff recommended a five percent increase in fees ranging from membership to registration. If the proposed fee increase is approved, USTA would still need to find other cost-saving measures to get it through the next five years.

Director Charles Keller III questioned if five percent would be enough of an increase, given the USTA’s expenses; however, most of the Finance Committee members were i n favor of the smallest increase required.

“I just don’t see how we’re going to solve the problem of five years down the road in the economy we’ve got today,” said USTA president Phil Langley during a discussion of a higher increase than five percent.

The Finance Committee asked USTA staff to generate refreshed numbers before a second committee meeting on Monday morning. The full board must approve fee increases in the final board session on Monday morning.

On Sunday, the full board was slated to be apprised of the situation involving the suspension of the license of Jeffrey Brooks. Also, committee meetings were scheduled to be held .

« Back