Jackson Zoo attendance increased in 2013 and the balance sheet improved somewhat as well. JZS lost its accreditation in 2013. JZS appealed the decision. Ms. Poff said she expects a verdict by the end of March.
Zoo attendance increased from 117,652 visitors in 2012 to 134,736 visitors in 2013, an increase of 17,084 (15%). Jackson Zoo Executive Director Beth Poff provided the following attendance data as well:
Nov 2012 attendance 4,802
Nov 2013 attendance 2,854 (rainy month)
Dec 2012 attendance 2,113
Dec 2013 attendance 1,408 (every weekend cold and rained out)The Jackson Zoological Society operates the zoo. A contract signed by the city of Jackson and JZS requires the non-profit organization to provide financial statements every quarter. The balance sheet posted below states that JZS enjoyed a quarterly profit of $538,993. Some items of interests on the statement:
*City of Jackson paid $249,000 than was budgeted for the fiscal year. $1,649 million versus $1.4 million.
*Debt service. JZS made a loan payment of $700,325. That is the last payment JZS will make on the loan.
Earlier posts on Zoo's financial problems
Press release on Zoo accreditation
Zoo suffers quarterly loss
Video tour of area surrounding the zoo
3 comments:
Take out the gubment money and the Zoo is awash in red ink. Way to go Chuckster.
Oh no their NOT! Broke again and waiting on State gubment money. Got a copy of their audit? Read through until you find the paragraph regarding their spending state bond $$ For daily operational needs! Which is a BIG NO NO. But since good ol' B. Clay is their lobbyist, that makes it all okay! (NOT)
Interesting that the COJ passed a resloution this morning (thanks to Stokes) to advertise for operation of the zoo!!!! Wonder how that will help their accreditation.... Not even knowing if their contract will be renewed or not!!!!!
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