Sequim Chamber of Commerce audit finds red ink

Published 4:16 am Sunday, July 20, 2008

SEQUIM — An independent audit of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce shows a net loss of $10,242 last year, plus a loss of $10,150 on the 2007 Irrigation Festival.

The chamber took in $214,116 in membership dues, and other income, including the city of Sequim’s $44,000 for the chamber’s operation of the Visitor Information Center at 1192 E. Washington St., and the city’s $9,945 payment for “economic development” activities.

The chamber’s operational expenses amounted to $224,358 last year.

That included $91,547 in payroll, and $17,573 in member services, according to the audit conducted by NFP Accounting of Bremerton.

The chamber’s Irrigation Festival spending included $11,329 on the parade float, $4,817 on the festival queen and princesses, $12,674 on the logging show and $47,262 on “other Irrigation Festival expenses.”

The costs of the May events totaled $110,671, while the income amounted to $100,521.

Chamber board president Bill Littlejohn did not, however, express dismay.

Instead he emphasized that his board is poised to hire a new executive director.

It could happen this week, Littlejohn said, when the board holds a special meeting to interview three finalists.

A selection could be made after the meeting on Thursday.