Members urged
to support plan
My wife and I have been homeowners in Bella Vista for more than 14 years. We retired here in 2000 to be near our friends, family and to enjoy the many affordable activities available to us, including golf, boating, swimming, church functions and others.
Coming from southern California, we were accustomed to homeowner associations, assessment fees and user fees for amenities available to us in that area.
By the way, we were used to paying association fees that were several times higher than those of Bella Vista, and for considerably less amenities than what we enjoy here.
For several years, I was relatively content to sit by and let others take responsibility for the finances, operation and future planning for Bella Vista.
However, as time progressed and I became more actively involved with the community, the church and the Property Owners Association, I found that there were several areas where I felt I could make a real contribution.
I first served on our church financial committee for about three years, and following that, I decided to run for the Bella Vista POA Board of Directors. I believed my many years of general management and senior management experience might help make a positive change for the direction of the association, and to perhaps help improve the somewhat negative image of the POA Board.
I was elected to the board in June 2012, and will finish my three-year term in May 2015.
Not long after being elected, the POA Board decided to conduct an evaluation of the long-term financial condition of the association, which ultimately resulted in the now familiar 10-year Financial Baseline Review.
The review was predicated on several major factors:
1. No anticipated change in assessment fees,
2. All amenities would be maintained at the current level of excellence,
3. User fees alone cannot support the amenities,
4. Increases in user fees result in less participation and reduced revenue, and
5. Assessment fees are designated by the association governing documents specifically for the maintenance and improvement of amenities.
For over a year, the POA Board attempted to develop a comprehensive plan to overcome the financial shortfall facing the association.
Numerous "Talk with the Board" forums were held, where member input and recommendations were taken into consideration, evaluated and many of which were incorporated into the latest plan.
This plan basically asks the membership to support an increase in our assessment fees, which will provide a consistent and dependable income stream to preserve and protect our property values, to maintain our amenities, to ensure the financial stability of the association and to attract new property owners to Bella Vista.
As a long-time Bella Vista property owner, I urge all members to support the proposed assessment increase when you return your ballot for the current election.
I cannot over emphasize how important your affirmative vote is for the future of Bella Vista and for the preservation and protection of property values.
Mike Erixon
Bella Vista
Editorial on 04/09/2014