At the June meeting of the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees, held June 26 at Morgridge Commons, trustees voted unanimously to approve the college’s fiscal year 2019-20 budget. The balanced general fund budget includes an overall increase in operating expenses of 3.5 percent, in line with annual inflation, and $74,297,009 in revenues.
Trustees also voted to appoint Bob Kuusinen to fill the vacant CMC trustee position for District Five, encompassing all of the areas within the legal boundaries of Steamboat Springs School District RE-2. The resignation of Trustee Ken Brenner earlier this summer required the board to appoint a replacement to serve until the next biennial regular election for the position, to be held on Nov. 5, 2019.
Kuusinen is currently market president at Vectra Bank Colorado in Steamboat Springs, and was formerly vice president of commercial lending for Yampa Valley Bank and senior vice president of operations for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. His community leadership involves, or has involved, being a board member of the Steamboat Springs Chamber and chairman of its economic development committee, board member of the Mountain Village Partnership, governor’s appointee to the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board, a long-time Rotarian, and membership on numerous other districts and nonprofit boards in the Yampa Valley.
Kuusinen, whose retirement is in the foreseeable future which will permit him more time to travel to meetings throughout the college district, told the trustees, “Colorado Mountain College is an incredible asset to our community, and I know those of us in Steamboat Springs understand that. I am honored to serve CMC, its students and the region through governance and setting policies that guide the college’s strategic direction.” He also shared his daughter’s successful experience as a CMC student, graduate, and occasional instructor, further prompting his interest in serving the college.
“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Bob through the Ski Town USA Morning Rotary Club,” said Loryn Kasten, Rotary club president. “His passion for making Steamboat a thriving community combined with his attention to detail and his broad knowledge across many arenas makes him an invaluable community member. He always steps up when needed and brings thoughtful and creative ideas to any discussion. Bob will be an incredible addition to the CMC Board of Trustees and I know he will always have the best interest of the students and the CMC communities top of mind.”
Also at the meeting, trustees unanimously approved:
- Ongoing contracts for food service at residence halls, computer replacements, HVAC service and preventative maintenance, student textbook providers, insurance broker, software and data systems, and upgrading of “smart” classrooms
- Contract for Bear Park Phase II on the Steamboat Springs campus, which includes site work, grading, installation of a driveway, ADA parking, and construction of a storage and restroom facility
- FY 2018-19 supplemental budget appropriations, consisting of carrying forward to the next fiscal year an additional $10,000 in student government funds and $500,000 in financial aid and scholarship funds
- Facilities master plan contract
- Document retention policy
- President’s goals and work plan for FY 2019-20, tied to the college’s strategic plan.