Special Assessment Letter from HOA

No, you were only bellyaching about a specific aspect of it (still bellyaching tho).

As for being in this "sandbox", I knew all about the aspects of the assesment because I follow what goes on in the community. I guess some might consider that trolling. :indiff3:

 

I was very pleased with the service received here on our street (Windy Oaks). I forget which storm...but we basically had a lane and a half completely plowed...after round one, but when they were calling for more snow...they brought in bulldozers and plows and anything else that would move snow and completely cleared the street and parking spaces in preparation...

I fully expected our HOA fees to go up next year---does this one-time assessment mean they should stay level next year?

 

Not necessarily as there are quite a few contracts that are in the negotiation process - the biggest one being the pools and any increase in costs will have to be added to the budget. What this assessment does mean is any increase in fees are related to increases in prices and expenses not related to trying to fill a big void or play catch up. As always the HOA board will do everything we can to reign in costs and keep fees as stable as possible. Remember we have to pay them too.

Staci

 

Just wanted to say that I for one agree with the special assessment and understand the need for the payment. It's reasonable compared to the snow-removal services received. Also, thanks to the board members for all their hard work!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

+1.

I think the HOA's contractor did an outstanding job.

 

For everyone's complaining, think back to where you were living and what happened in 2003 when Mother Nature dumped almost as much snow on us. I was the Treasurer of the HOA where we lived at that time and it was a very difficult balance to determine how to fund and justify the excessive snow removal costs; many HOA's local to us did a SA at that time, no different than now.

 

Special thanks to the board members who spent time and energy working on the best way to pay OUR bills. I also think the HOA snow removal team did a wonderful job. Over the years, I have talked to the owner. He is a man who takes pride in the quality of his work.

 

Staci, I'd like you to post the formula you are "using" to assess the townhome owners. There are certainly other ways to make up for your deficit budget. Why not try cutting out some of the activties for kids? You do realize kids aren't the only ones living in this community. There are many responsible adults here also that don't need all the little programs you feel so compeled to host. I don't get where you get off on this topic. Bad debt - sue the deliquent owners. Put a lien on their house. You will get your money - then will you refund us? Be prudent business people for a change and stop being so much like dictators to your loyal homeowners.

 

Sure I can We calculated it by adding bad debt (ie that which the association HAS to write off per our attorney and auditor $55,000) + common area snow removal to equal $126,000 divided by 3411 units (ALL SF homes, TH homes and apartments) for a total of $37/unit plus the cost to administer. This equals $38
For those that live in TH or in Single family private streets (except Thornblade which was plowed by the developer) snow removal costs of $149,000 divided by the 1362 units = $110 plus the $38 that is assessed to all units for a grand total of $148
As you can see this money has nothing to do with any of the amenities or programs that are here in the community. There is no items that we can cut that cost the $275,000 we need to make up.
As for your question about collections, any homeowner who does not pay their dues does go through the whole legal process to collect including, including late fees, attorney fees, lien and foreclosure. Unfortunately the way the current rules are written HOA's almost never get paid even when there is a lien as when people declare bankruptcy Lawyers, banks, and other debt collectors are paid in that order with HOA's being last on the list.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any additional questions.

Staci

 

Very straightforward - seems like a logical/fair process. Thanks for explaining.

 

I'll imply what I want. I don't believe it happened. Please PM me for which storm, and what street you are on. I'll look into it. Chances are, I know other people on your street.
But I don't believe an HOA maintained street went untouched until 2 days after one of the big storms. I could be wrong. If I am, I want to know what went wrong with your street.

 

The grand total for YOUR annual assessment for kids activities is the pricely sum of around $5.00.
I think we'll keep them.

 

Wrongo. These homes have already been foreclosed on. There was no value in them, so the debt is wiped out. It is not until that point that we write it off.
Maybe you should try to learn a little more about what you say before you attack others with WRONG information.

 

Hey Habitat take a look at the budget before calling out the good people that volunteer their time to run our HOA. The Board could axe all of our community activities and committees including the newsletter which is half of the entire activities and programs budget and still be more than $100,000 short. Try being informed before you fire off at the mouth or you just end up looking like a knucklehead.

FYI the 2010 budget can be found in the 12/09 newsletter.

 

Things I think the Board could or should have done instead of the special assessment:

1. No common area maintenance for the next year. Savings = $392,000
2. Layoff all Broadlands employees for the year. Savings = $237,000
3. No pool management company. (volunteers only) Savings = $225,000
4. Take your own trash to the dump year. Savings = $500,000

Please, no need to thank me. With these kind of cuts our HOA should be able to face anything that comes our way without having to pay extra.

 

$3411 for admin costs... is that for all the printing? I wish we could opt out of paper bills/newsletters as 90+% of the people I talk to have online banking/ebills/pdf readers which reduces a good amount of waste from the mail (kinda, if Armstrong would enable direct transfers instead of checks cut by online banking)...

I realize there are old people/people resistant to change/etc... but I think our community is made up of a majority of people who can use the internet and we could save a good amount of money on postage/paper waste and just have it all delivered by armstrongconnect/email/etc.

I think this could save a good amount of money which could be put to better use.

 

Yes $1/ household which covers the printing and mailing of the letter as well as all the people's salaries to keep up all the accounting and lockbox.
And Boomer I know you do not like having all this stuff mailed to your home but until we change the laws (bi laws) having something mailed is considered the only legal form of communication the HOA can have with the residents.
Staci

 

Hey, want to join our budget committee? We don't have one, but I'd be happy to start it for you!

 

I know I'm annoying about that, sorry Is there any progress in that direction? (bi laws) It is 2010, seems like we are a bit behind the times.