Jekyll Island Authority: 2015 Progress Report

JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY PROGRESS REPORT

2015

Few places on earth are more inviting than Jekyll Island. From early settlers to America’s social elite to today’s young explorers — the story of Georgia’s smallest barrier island has captured imaginations for generations. Majestic forests, breathtaking beaches, opulent cottages— every path leads to a unique experience you’ll only discover here.

The Jekyll Island Authority serves to protect this beautiful place, and to help others understand, learn, connect, and celebrate it. This year’s Progress Report is illustrative of the ways we continue to preserve the splendor of Jekyll Island.

4

WELCOME

5

WELCOME

RICHARD ROYAL, CHAIRMAN Jekyll Island has undergone an incredible revitalization over the past decade. These changes have been dramatic and long overdue, and we’re extremely proud of the spectacular work that has occurred so far.

Every one of us with the Jekyll Island Authority has immense gratitude for all the support—public and private—we have received during this recent period of revitalization. More than 60% of the $195 million in revitalization investments has been funded from private partners, including the new Westin and Holiday Inn properties. Public funding made the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Great Dunes Park, and the new Beach Village a reality.

Looking ahead, Jekyll Island will continue to evolve. Its revitalization is far from complete. To keep Jekyll Island’s future looking bright, we encourage everyone to stay involved. We need your talents and support to keep this momentum going.

A. Richard Royal Chairman, Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors

WELCOME

JEKYLL ISLAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6

A. Richard Royal Chairman Camilla, Ga

Robert “Bob” W. Krueger Vice Chairman Hawkinsville, Ga

Michael D. Hodges Secretary St. Simons Island, Ga

William “Bill” H. Gross Kingsland, Ga

JONES HOOKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A remarkable transformation has taken place here on Jekyll Island. We’ve come a long way in a short period of time, and the results so far have been very gratifying. And, all of the revitalization has occurred within existing, developed footprints, without touching a single acre of natural habitat or additional green space.

Jekyll Island’s rebirth has been a huge feat and a great credit to everyone who has been involved. Our thanks starts with the Governor’s office and the state legislature and extends to many others – from the staff of the Jekyll Island Authority to private investors, local volunteers, residents, merchants, and the Golden Isles community.

As the next chapter of Jekyll Island’s story unfolds, I encourage you to invite your friends and families to come discover today’s Jekyll Island.

Sybil D. Lynn Jesup, Ga

Joy Burch-Meeks Screven, GA

Michael Shaffer Augusta, Ga

Bill Jones III Sea Island, Ga

Mark Williams Georgia Department of Natural Resources Atlanta, Ga

WELCOME

C. Jones Hooks Executive Director, Jekyll Island Authority

7

REVITALIZATION

REVITALIZATION

Jekyll Island has experienced a period of tremendous rebirth and revitalization.

2015 proved to be a pivotal year, with key projects reaching completion and new ones breaking ground. There is still much work to be done, and the Jekyll Island Authority continues to uphold its charter to maintain, develop, beautify, and promote Jekyll Island.

8

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

2016 LOOKING FORWARD

PROJECTS COMPLETED Holiday Inn Resort - Opened March, 2015 Westin Jekyll Island - Opened April, 2015 Beach Village - Opened April, 2015

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Jekyll Island Youth & Learning Center The Cottages at Jekyll Island Jekyll Island Club Ocean Suites Beach House Restaurant

THE COTTAGES AT JEKYLL ISLAND

HOLIDAY INN RESORT

THE WESTIN JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB OCEAN SUITES

JEKYLL ISLAND YOUTH & LEARNING CENTER

BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT

REVITALIZATION

BEACH VILLAGE

9

CONSERVATION The Conservation Program experienced another year of progress and growth.

Now composed of three full-time staff members, the program has consistently raised the profile of Jekyll Island’s natural resources and has earned accolades

CONSERVATION

for environmental leadership.

10

Wilson’s Plovers The Program developed an innovative camera system for 24-hour nest-monitoring of this threatened shorebird. The team now knows how many pairs nested, how many nests were unsuccessful, and what predators are affecting the birds.

Horton Pond The Conservation Program spearheaded a community effort to revitalize the area with the addition of an observation deck, nature trail, educational signage, reptile-basking platform, bird-rookery island, and native landscaping. This is an excellent example of an effort to carefully improve the visitor experience while enhancing environmental value.

Cooperative Audubon Sanctuaries The Program worked to certify Indian Mound Golf Course and renew Pine Lakes Golf Course.

By promoting the expansion of tall grass meadows previously maintained as turf grass, we are improving water quality, reducing maintenance expenses, and supporting wildlife.

By providing this service in house, the Conservation Program is saving the Authority money while keeping a close eye on the health of our island waterways and refining our sustainability efforts accordingly.

CONSERVATION

Watershed Protection Plan

11

CONVENTION CENTER In 2015 the Center achieved record level customer ratings, along with improved meeting quality that resulted in the highest total center revenues to date.

CONVENTION CENTER

Groups from throughout the south continue to select the oceanfront Jekyll Island Convention Center as the preferred location for their meetings.

12

This year, the Convention Center has hosted more than 23,500 attendees, resulting in more than 29,000 hotel room nights.

The Jekyll Island Convention Center earned its highest revenue ever in 2015:

x 1 THOUSAND

$2,552,806 $4.5M $4M

215

203

$3.5M

$2.5M $2M

163

158 136

131

x 1 THOUSAND

100

$1.5M $1M $500K

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

YEAR Old Convention Center Bookings New Convention Center Bookings Revenue

2 0 15 AVE R AG E C USTO M E R SAT ISFAC T ION SCORE: (O U T O F FIVE )

CONVENTION CENTER

REVENUE

$3M

151

193

13

2015 TURTLE CRAWL

2015 SHRIMP & GRITS FESTIVAL

EVENTS

2015 TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL

14

UP FROM 5,000 IN 2014

EVENTS

EVENTS

The Events Team had a banner year, increasing attendance and sponsorships at events throughout the year. With the opening of the Beach Village, the team took on the new responsibility of programming entertainment in the Village including events like Movies on the Green, Sunday Funday, and Yoga on the Green.

15

40 FT.

JEKYLL ISLAND 24,000 LIGHTS

FACILITIES

78 FT.

16

ROCKEFELLER CENTER 45,000 LIGHTS

FACILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES The Facilities and Public Services Department had many accomplishments this year, from the construction of a new 2,400 square foot Campground pavilion that replaced a years old temporary event tent, to the opening of the new Skating Village featuring a synthetic ice rink.

For the first time ever,

eclipsed the

FACILITIES

REVENUE MARK

17

GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER The Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) experienced a tremendously exciting year with record numbers of people visiting and learning about the conservation work with sea turtles and other wildlife.

The GSTC Research Department continues to manage and study the nesting female loggerhead sea turtles on Jekyll Island while the diamondback terrapin causeway conservation program completed its eighth year.

GA SEA TURTLE CENTER

Work in Costa Rica continued this year supported by Disney’s Conservation Fund, and the Education team worked with school teachers to bring turtles and turtle conservation into the classroom.

18

19

GA SEA TURTLE CENTER

HISTORY Early in 2015 the Department celebrated the 100th anniversary of the First Transcontinental Phone Call, and hosted the 15th annual conference of the Jekyll Island Museum Institute.

This year the staff conducted oral history interviews documenting resident, employee, and visitor experiences on Jekyll Island during the Early State Era (1942-1986), as well as a limited archaeology exploration and research at Hollybourne Cottage.

HISTORY

In partnership with the Jekyll Island Foundation, the Skeet House was relocated and rehabilitated, and this fall, the McEvers Bayard Brown Oak was established as an island landmark.

20

The Jekyll Island Museum earned its highest revenue ever in 2015:

$776,564 MUSEUM ANNUAL REVENUE 1987 - PRESENT $800

$400

$200

1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 YEAR

HISTORY

REVENUE (000)

$600

21

GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER GIFT SHOP HIGHEST VOLUME RETAIL SHOP

GOLF CLUB PRO SHOP

22

RETAIL Stores include Georgia Sea Turtle Center Gift Shop, Guest Information Center Gift Shop, Museum Gift Shop, Life is Good store, Golf Pro Shop, Tennis Gift Shop, Campground Gift Shop, and Summer Waves Gift Shop.

RETAIL

Five of the eight locations had their highest volume year ever recorded.

23

FINANCIAL RESULTS CALENDAR YEAR 2015*

Jekyll Island Authority Jekyll Island Authority CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON #REF! #REF!

es

Revenues

ration

Administration

Leases

Development Fund

ls n

ation revenue using

Administration

es

Business Leases Hotel Tax Tourism Development Fund Parking Interest Lot Rentals Foundation Grants Administration revenue Intern Housing

Total Administration

FY2015*

FY2014

$

$

FY2015*VARIANCE FY2014 $ (000s)

%

$

3,321,477 1,194,717 243,443 2,974,199 2,706 286,091 104,000 3,308 136,432 39,548

3,145,518 1,291,786 2,767,985 4,268 249,802 104,000 103,899 30,115

3,321,477 176 1,194,717 (97) 243,443 243 2,974,199 206 2,706 (2) 286,091 36 104,000 (0) 3,308 3 136,432 33 39,548 9

6% 3,145,518 -8% 1,291,786 0% 7% 2,767,985 -37% 4,268 15% 249,802 0% 104,000 0% 31% 103,899 31% 30,115

8,305,921

7,697,373

8,305,921 609

8% 7,697,373

1,645,775 2,302,288 353,446 1,974,082 1,150,041 694,945 1,639,986 30,201 279,247

1,542,449 2,062,795 628,856 1,930,665 1,198,223 621,550 1,449,521 21,419 285,467

1,645,775 103 2,302,288 239 353,446 (275) 1,974,082 43 1,150,041 (48) -694,945 73 -1,639,986 190 30,201 9 279,247 (6)

7% 1,542,449 12% 2,062,795 -44% 628,856 2% 1,930,665 -4% 1,198,223 0% 12% 621,550 0% 13% 1,449,521 41% 21,419 -2% 285,467

1,169,088 475,245 929,745 60,542 252,005 189,856 28,354 26,450 10,011

1,056,348 474,364 931,571 56,576 285,973 157,436 26,903 36,606 4,876

1,169,088 113 475,245 1 929,745 (2) 60,542 4 252,005 (34) 189,856 32 28,354 1 26,450 (10) 10,011 5

11% 1,056,348 0% 474,364 0% 931,571 7% 56,576 -12% 285,973 21% 157,436 5% 26,903 -28% 36,606 105% 4,876

Enterprises

on Center ck's Grill Waves und od

Sea Turtle Center tion Golf & Bikes

Golf Convention Center McCormick's Grill Summer Waves Campground Life is Good Museum Village Georgia Sea Turtle Center Conservation Miniature Golf & Bikes

stewater

Water/Wastewater Sanitation rtment Fire Department Tennis n Mktg & Special Events Destination Mktg & Special Events ormation Center Guest Information Center Soccer ing, Roads & Trails Landscaping, Roads & Trails Equipment Maintenance Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance FINANCIAL REPORT

Enterprises

evenues

24

Total Enterprises

Total Revenues

13,211,307

12,771,597 13,211,307 440

3% 12,771,597

21,517,228

20,468,970 21,517,228 1,048

5% 20,468,970

Jekyll Island Authority Jekyll Island Authority CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON For the Twelve Months Ending June 30,For 2015 the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2015

Expenses

s

& Grounds

e <$1K e $1K to $5K

rs & time

ditures

Human Resources Supplies & Materials Advertising & Sales Repairs - Facilities & Grounds Utilities Insurance Contracts Rentals Printing Motor Vehicle Telephone Equipment Purchase <$1K Equipment Purchase $1K to $5K Travel Dues Grants expenses Satellite Transmitters & time Credit Card Fees Bank Fees Interest Expense

Total Expenditures

ash Income ** Net Operating Cash Income **

t Fund

Tourism Development Fund

FY2015*

FY2014

$

$

FY2014

%

$

9,939,928 1,588,533 857,954 1,442,619 1,662,610 874,461 2,161,779 317,559 172,859 230,706 85,566 63,840 65,664 65,563 126,187 7,952 1,478 216,934 1,740 -

10,210,633 1,539,668 703,054 1,235,598 1,539,375 771,690 2,133,419 264,684 189,209 286,323 99,814 46,948 29,248 70,460 71,450 4,663 4,292 195,835 14,025 8,384

(271) 9,939,928 -3% 49 3% 1,588,533 155857,954 22% 207 1,442,619 17% 123 1,662,610 8% 103874,461 13% 28 1% 2,161,779 53317,559 20% (16) 172,859 -9% (56) 230,706 -19% (14)85,566-14% 17 63,840 36% 36 65,664125% (5)65,563 -7% 55126,187 77% 3 7,952 71% (3) 1,478-66% 21216,934 11% (12) 1,740-88% (8) -100% -

10,210,633 1,539,668 703,054 1,235,598 1,539,375 771,690 2,133,419 264,684 189,209 286,323 99,814 46,948 29,248 70,460 71,450 4,663 4,292 195,835 14,025 8,384

19,883,932

19,418,774

465 2% 19,883,932

19,418,774

1,633,295

1,050,197

583 1,633,295 56%

1,050,197

243,444

Water/Sewer Water/Sewer Fund Fund Fire Department Fire Department Equipment Equipment Fund Fund Bond Bond Payment Payment

OPERATING OPERATING INCOME INCOME AFTER AFTER DESIGNATED DESIGNATED FUND FUND CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS CAPITAL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT & PROJECTS & PROJECTS FUNDED FUNDED FROM FROM CURRENT CURRENT YEARYEAR

CONTRIBUTION CONTRIBUTION TO CASH TO CASH RESERVES RESERVES

VARIANCE FY2015* (000s)$

0

243,444

197,498 197,498 28,000 28,000 0 0

14,292 14,292 35,209 35,209 475,080 475,080

1,164,353 1,164,353

525,616 525,616

970,144 970,144

494,434 494,434

194,209 194,209

31,182 31,182

0

*The financial information in this self-published Jekyll Island Authority Annual Report contains some unaudited figures and is presented in a budget basis format which is used for operational management and oversight (depreciation and capital expenses not included). Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis financials are available by request. Jekyll Island Authority’s financial information is reviewed periodically by the State Department of Audits and is included in the State of Georgia’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Financial stewardship is a high priority and Jekyll Island Authority has a history of clean audit reports. All financial information contained in this self-published report is believed to be accurate and error-free, but should only be used for informational purposes. The Jekyll Island Authority shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages related to unintentional typographical or other errors, omissions or inaccuracies of the information contained in this document.

FINANCIAL REPORT

*FY15 financials are unaudited ** Amounts are on a budget basis format and do not contain Depreciation and Capital expenses. Capital equipment and projects listed here are amounts funded from current year revenues. These amounts are designated (set aside) from current year funds for specific equipment or projects, and if not spent during the current fiscal year, will be spent in subsequent fiscal years, depending on the timeline of the project.

25

From the saltwater marsh to the wideopen beaches to the historic ruins, Jekyll Island is a beautiful blend of serenity and discovery. By working together to protect our incredible surroundings, Jekyll Island will continue to be a place where people can create their own stories. A secret weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to share.

Jekyll Island Authority