The ASBSD Board of Directors approved the association's FY10 budget during their May board meeting, giving final approval to a dues increase that will generate approximately $45,000 in new association revenue.

Board members have been studying the association dues for more than two years.

Last year, after rising costs forced the association to use $81,000 from reserves to balance the budget, the board called for a formal dues study and asked the staff to present dues information to members throughout the state.

Directors said feedback from members showed an understanding of the association's financial picture and support for a dues increase, but they asked staff to review association expenses to ensure a dues increase was a last resort.

As ASBSD Chief Financial officer walked board members through the budget, he explained the staff's efforts to look for efficiencies.

"We looked under every rock, but we couldn't turn them over without impacting essential programs," Lynch said.

According to Lynch, the entire $45,000 is devoted to two ongoing expenses - NSBA dues, which increased $30,000 last year, and costs associated with audits and annual reporting.

In FY09, association dues represented just 6.9 percent of association revenues. In FY10, about 8 percent of the association's revenue will come from membership dues.

ASBSD President Duane Alm voted for the increase. He told his fellow directors that he believes the membership has noticed an improvement in ASBSD services and that the change would allow ASBSD to continue to improve.

"I don't think we want to take a step backward," he said. "We need to keep the momentum and continue to deliver for our members."