by Ernest Werstler, Treasurer, KTA Board of Directors
At the Fall Meeting of the Keystone Trails Association I reported that unaudited financial statements indicated that the Association would show a loss for the year ending September 20, 2015. I indicated upon receipt of the financial statements we would report the final results for the year. Well, the statements are finalized and have been received and I can report that for the year KTA experienced a loss of $17,263 compared to a gain of $5,411 for the prior year. While the loss is small compared to some prior years it is concerning because of the areas that were below expectations.
Comparing the year ending September 2015 with 2014 for indications of why the loss for this year the following items appear. First, while our retail and wholesale sales were almost $14,000 above the prior year, membership dues fell and wiped out what should have been a gain from increased interest and purchases of the various maps and trail guides KTA produces and sells. That with no growth in contributions and a large decline in meeting revenue (down $22,000) results in total revenue for the year ending 2015 of $181,662 compared to 2014 of $206,362 or a decrease of $24,700.
On the expenditure side KTA did better than the prior year, with expenses totaling $198,925 for 2015 compared to $200,951 for 2014. A slight improvement but not enough to offset the drop in revenue.
Those are the numbers for last year, and while it is important to understand what has happen in the past; it is necessary that we look forward to what is plan for this fiscal year. A new staff, a new office and many new opportunities to become involved, to encourage friends and neighbors to join KTA and share in the fun, the wonder, the peace of the many great hiking trails found in Penn's Woods.
Read the auditor's report for Keystone Trails Association's 2014-2015 fiscal year.