I don't know how I'm going to vote next month on the proposed Property Owners Association assessment increase. I have very mixed feelings about it -- a $9-a-month increase for developed property and a $3-a-month hike for undeveloped lots.
The wife and I own an undeveloped lot high on the bluff on the south end of Lake Windsor. The only time I get a lake view is when the leaves are down in the fall, winter and early spring.
During the four years I was editor of The Vista, I advocated for several different rate hikes -- all of which failed. Even with the proposed rate hikes, past ones as well, Bella Vistans are getting a bargain for their buck.
But, here's my rub. I don't like the idea of two separate votes on the two increases. This issue should have been decided as one ballot issue.
It seems to me that the POA board is pitting the two groups against each other -- and I don't like that.
Assuming there are enough ballots cast to qualify for a valid election, the owners of the undeveloped lots, which outnumber developed lot owners, could conceivably vote an increase for the developed lot owners and reject a rate hike for themselves.
Of course, if the undeveloped lot owners aren't paying attention to their mail ballots and some don't vote, the developed lot owners could do the same to the undeveloped lot owners by voting an increase on them and not on themselves.
And maybe that's the intent of the POA Board of Directors in this instance.
• • •
I like the fact that the POA leadership has developed a plan for the use of the money. We at least know what they're thinking, even if we disagree, which I do.
I think the new recreation facility is a much higher priority than renovating the Yacht Club or the Scotsdale Golf Course or pouring more money into renovating the other golf courses in Bella Vista.
I do have a problem with the board's continued advocacy of improving the golf courses even as the rounds of golf continue to decline. Making each course unique is not going to improve the situation. Bella Vista could get by with two fewer golf courses and bring the number of rounds better in line with the costs to maintain golf operations.
At last month's joint committee on golf, it was reported that golf rounds continue to decline, but that revenue was up because fees were increased this year.
This isn't just a Bella Vista issue: TaylorMade, one of the largest makers of golf equipment, is trying to sell its club division because of steep decline in sales. Nike announced last week that it will stop making golf clubs, also because of declining sales.
The POA board has to take a look at the long-term viability of maintaining its golf courses and one of the answers is shutting down courses because golf rounds continue to decline.
I believe a new recreation center would offer more for those who don't play golf and are looking for other recreational opportunities. Bella Vista needs a new indoor pool, basketball and handball courts and other recreational needs. Look what Bentonville's new recreation center has brought to that community. Young families are going there in droves.
With the younger demographics in Bella Vista, it is imperative that we look at facilities that interest younger families.
That's the kinds of things Bella Vista needs. Unique golf courses is not the answer. A new recreation center is -- and the POA can't wait four or five more years to do something about it.
So I have a month or so to ponder what I'm going to do. Right now, I just don't know.
• • •
POA Chairman Bob Brooks recently reported that he'd like to see the repeal of the extra Photo ID fee for undeveloped lot owners because use of the POA facilities has seen a decrease from that group since the $95 fee was added on top of the $35 charge for the ID. I understand the rationale for the increase to equalize the disparity between two groups.
For me, I put a pencil to how much I was using it and how much I was going to save by paying for discounted rounds with a Photo ID and I decided that it wasn't worth it. I guess other undeveloped lot owners have spoken about that idea as well. And it probably would have been a good idea to include that repeal as part of the lead-in to the assessment vote.
• • •
Some folks have asked me how my retirement has been going since January, when I quit full-time work. I did do some special projects for The Vista, but have basically enjoyed the no-pressure lifestyle, including losing 10 pounds (just need to lose another 20, which I'm working on).
The first thing I noticed about retirement is that Duke, the Labrador, has retired as well. If I'm sleeping in, so is Duke.
The other morning, the wife, who isn't retired yet, had to go to work early. She got up and I sleepily told her to watch out for Duke, who was sleeping on the floor on my side of the bed. He barely stirred as she went by. He didn't follow her out the bedroom door when she went to get breakfast.
In the good old days of working, he would have been up and bothering me to let him out at 6:15. Now, he doesn't do anything until I get up. It was a good hour after the wife was up before I got out of bed and Duke got up. He's living the dog's life, not that he wasn't before.
• • •
Tom Throne is the former managing editor of The Weekly Vista. He is now enjoying his retirement. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
General News on 08/10/2016