By Chris Doebler, CPA, MTM Chief Financial Officer

On December 5th, the MTM Board Finance Committee will have their year-end meeting. The Committee is made up of 6 MTM member representatives. This meeting is to put in place a couple items for 2020, the MTM 2020 Budget and most importantly an early look for available 2019 profits to be used for 2020 member dividends. To clarify timing, the Finance Committee and Board declare an MTM dividend based on an “early look” of 2019 profits. The details of the member dividend and exact amounts are confirmed at the February Committee and Board meetings. We declare a dividend amount in December to avoid paying taxes on the dividend amount. If we did not declare the dividend in December the amount of money available for member dividends would be reduced by taxes. Our declaration in December reduces (but does not eliminate) MTM taxable income for 2019. So December is a busy time in the MTM finance department. Our goal this year is the same as our prior 43 years. Bring as much value and financial rewards to MTM members as we possibly can.

Here is the MTM dividend history for the last 5 years:

• 2014 (paid March 2015) – member dividend – $2,500,000
• 2015 (paid March 2016) – member dividend – $3,500,000
• 2016 (paid March 2017) – member dividend – $3,500,000
• 2017 (paid March 2018) – member dividend – $4,000,000
• 2018 (paid March 2019) – member dividend – $4,437,920

I will have more to report after the Board Finance Committee.