Ask the Supervisor: McLean Community Center Reserve Fund

Question: What is your opinion on the $12 million reserve fund held by the McLean Community Center?

Answer: The budget recently proposed by the MCC Governing Board for Fiscal Year 2014 (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014) projects a total reserve fund balance of approximately $9.7 million, not $12 million. The MCC maintains three reserve funds: the Equipment Replacement Reserve ($583,926), the Operating Contingency Reserve ($1,250,000) and the Capital Improvement Reserve ($7,828,851).  The Equipment Replacement Reserve and the Operating Contingency Reserve are appropriate and represent good fiscal planning by the MCC Governing Board. I believe the Capital Improvement Reserve is appropriate but too large unless the MCC Governing Board adopts a plan for significant capital improvements.

I have been encouraging the MCC to develop a capital improvement plan and I believe they are now making good progress. The Governing Board is currently considering expansion into the McLean Central Business District and/or renovating and possibly expanding its existing facility on Ingleside Avenue. The Governing Board expects to make a decision on both options early in 2013. I believe that either option would benefit the McLean community and would be an appropriate use of the Capital Improvement Reserve. 

The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on any capital improvement proposal the Governing Board makes. Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MCC Governing Board and the Board of Supervisors, before the Governing Board can implement any significant capital improvement or expansion plan, the proposed plan must be presented to the public and approved by the Board of Supervisors. The MOU stipulates that provision must be made for advising citizens of the fiscal impact of proposed capital projects and for soliciting citizen input regarding the advisability of embarking on such capital projects.

Do you have a question for Supervisor Foust? You can submit it below in the comments section or contact his office directly via email, dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov, or by phone, 703-356-0551.