At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Property Owners Association Board of Directors voted to again ask for an assessment increase despite some residents' objections.
The latest proposal is an additional $6 a month for improved lots and $2 for unimproved lots.
Five directors, including Chairman Charlie Teal, voted for the proposal. Three voted against and Joan Glubczynski, the board's newest member, abstained.
Increases must be approved by the general membership.
During the May election, members rejected a $13 increase for improved lots and $1 for unimproved lots. A committee was formed in June to create a different proposal, and the recommendation was discussed last week.
Resident Ken Nelson said if the assessments aren't equal for improved lots and unimproved lots, then the increase should at least be an equal percentage. At this month's work session, he recommended $6 for improved lots and $4 for unimproved lots.
He reminded the board that the two-tiered assessment was approved in 2001, the last time the assessment was increased, and it was a "desperate measure." In 2001, the POA was paying salaries for emergency and street maintenance workers. Bella Vista became a city in 2007, which eventually took over those costs.
Nelson compared Bella Vista Village to an "old Cadillac." It was a place where retirees spent their free time and extra income. He said it's time to change the governing documents so the association can solve its long-term financial issues.
"We can no longer afford to drive that Cadillac," he said.
After listening to objections from Nelson and others, the board voted to hold the election and spend $10,000 from the general manager's contingency fund to market the election. Since some members objected to the board spending money promoting its view in May, this time the marketing message will simply be to vote.
Mike Erixon, one of the "no" votes, said he believes the timing is wrong. He reminded the board that the city is planning a millage election and he suggested waiting for the 2015 board member election in May.
Dave Barfield, a board member, said unimproved lot owners will not support a $2 per month increase. Linda Leffler was the third "no" vote.
Ballots will probably go out later this summer, said Doug McCash, association attorney. The membership list must be checked to determine which members are in good standing, then ballots can be mailed. After the ballots are mailed, members have 30 days to return them.
In May, only 39 percent of the ballots were returned. For assessment increases, the governing documents require 50 percent participation so that part of the election was not actually valid.
This time the board will try to encourage more participation. However if the 50 percent quorum is not met, the board has the option of holding a second election with the same proposal with much lower quorum that requires 25 percent of the ballots to be returned.
John Nuttall, assessment committee chairman, told the board a number of residents didn't know about the last election. He plans to recruit members willing to go out and explain the process to the other members.
There are public meetings scheduled to inform voters at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 30; 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug.19; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 and 10 a.m. Wednesday Aug. 27.
All the meetings are at Riordan Hall.
In other business, the board decided to table a plan to hire a consultant to devise an alternative use for the Branchwood Golf Course. The course was damaged by flooding in August and has been closed since. The Joint Committee on Recreation is preparing a recommendation about the fate of the golf course.
Also the board appointed John Allen and Dick Hartman to serve on the association's Election Committee. The three-year terms will run from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2017.
Tony Byars will serve on the association's Recreation Joint Advisory Committee. Byars, who began his term in July, will serve through Dec. 31, 2016. One vacant position remains on the committee.
Editorial on 07/23/2014