Minutes
Ohio HBPA Board Meeting
11:00 am, Friday, November 15th, 2024
Via freeconferencecall.com
Members Present: President Joe Poole Directors: Susan Anderson, Linda Carrera, Bobby Cline, Christy Estvanko, Tim Hamm, Jeff Jarvis, Brian Poe, Kim Puhl, George Sikora, Mike Rone, Doug Shanyfelt
Others Present: Executive Director Dave Basler, OTBO Executive Director Mike Annechino
Call to Order/ Approval of Minutes:
President Poole called the meeting to order. After review Director Poe moved and Director Cline seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2024 Ohio HBPA board of directors meeting. Motion passed.
Director Hamm moved and Director Poe seconded a motion to grant Director Sikora an excused absence from the October 14th, 2024 OHBPA board of directors meeting due to his attending a doctor’s appointment with his wife that day. Motion passed.
President’s Report
President Poole discussed a recent request made on Facebook by National HBPA President Doug Daniels wife for financial assistance as Doug continues his recovery from an accident which left him partially paralyzed in September. The executive director stated he knew other affiliates were organizing some financial aid as well and that he would get more details at the upcoming National HBPA Executive Committee meetings that weekend and report back to the board.
Executive Director’s Report:
Basler updated the board regarding the status of the National HBPA lawsuit against HISA stating that the United States Supreme Court has issued a stay so that no lower courts can take action against HISA prior to the US Supreme Court hearing the case which should take place in early 2025. Basler updated the board regarding 2025 HISA assessment fees stating that the tracks and the HBPA had received a letter detailing that those fees would total $5,349,780 up over $850,000 from the 2024 totals in Ohio.
Discussion was also held regarding HISA’s proposed rule change to the assessment fee calculations for 2026 which would only consider total number of starts and would likely add at least 25% to the current assessment fees. Basler detailed the letter he wrote on behalf of the OHBPA to the FTC opposing these proposed changes.
New Business:
Purses and Wagering
Handouts were provided to the board showing VLT results for all three thoroughbred tracks in Ohio for October 2024 as well as previous VLT results for comparison purposes. Belterra Park showed a net win of $6,961,056 in October 2024 which was up less than $70,000 from the net win in October 2023 at the track. Thistledown had a net VLT win of $15,321,769 in October which was up nearly $700,000 from the prior October net win figure and marked only the 2nd month in 2024 that Thistledown has shown year over year gains in net VLT win. Mahoning Valley had a net VLT win of $14,250,503 in October 2024 up nearly $800,000 from the $13,454,262 net win at Mahoning Valley in October 2023.
Extensive discussion was held regarding the 2025 OTRF program. A committee was formed to write the Maiden Special Weight and allowance races for the program for 2025 to be presented to the racing secretaries in the state and ultimately to the OSRC for approval.
Director Jarvis moved and Director Carrera seconded a motion that the Ohio HBPA would guarantee funding for the 2025 OTRF program at the same payoff levels as in 2024 from the Industry Initiative Fund provided that the line items for administrative costs, advertising/trophies and promotions/research not exceed 2024 levels. Motion passed.
Budget and Finance
Basler let a discussion of the proposed 2025 Ohio HBPA budget which included a 5-page handout provided to the board and had previously been approved by the Budget and Finance committee. Director Jarvis moved and Director Cline seconded a motion to approve the 2025 Ohio HBPA budget as proposed. Motion passed.
Discussion was held regarding the date for the next Ohio HBPA board of directors meeting with Friday, December 6th, 2024 being chosen as the date. The meeting will begin at 11:00am via freeconferencecall.com
Adjournment:
Director Cline moved and Director Carrera seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion passed.